Why One Flag Forward Begins on September 12

September 11, 2001 changed America forever. Ask anyone who is old enough to remember and they can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when they learned about the attacks that claimed thousands of lives. 

They probably also remember the day afterwards.

On September 12, 2001, our nation came together in a way we’d never seen before. 

Neighbors helped neighbors. Strangers became friends. Communities rallied together. People across the country united around a common mission.

Twenty-five years later, One Flag Forward honors that spirit.

As our nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and celebrates its 250th birthday, wear blue: run to remember and Team Red, White & Blue will carry one American flag 250 miles from New York City to Washington, DC.

The mission begins on September 12 and concludes five days later in our nation's capital.

We chose this date because One Flag Forward honors more than a moment in history. It honors the response that followed.

For 25 years, Service Members, Veterans, Gold Star and Surviving Family Members, and Military Family Members have answered the call to serve their communities and country. They have carried forward the values Americans demonstrated in the days after September 11: unity, service, honor, and sacrifice.

One Flag Forward carries their legacy forward.

In the military, different units rally under a single flag when they come together to accomplish a mission. They put purpose ahead of individual identities and focus on the objective before them.

One Flag Forward follows the same principle.

For this mission, wear blue  and Team RWB will move forward together under one banner: the American flag.

Not the wear blue flag.

Not the Team RWB flag.

The American flag. 

The mission begins on September 12 because that date reminds us how we came together and invites us all to do it again.

One flag, forward.