Two nonprofits unite under flag to honor America 250 and remember 9/11

Like scores of other Americans, Gold Star wife Lisa Hallett will spend Sept. 11 thinking about and honoring those who perished in the terrorist attacks 25 years ago. The next day, however, will bring something new for the CEO of a military-focused nonprofit: kicking off a five-day, 250-mile run from New York City to Washington, D.C.

One Flag Forward is the high-mileage, pavement-pounding brainchild of wear blue: run to remember, Hallett’s organization, and leaders from Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), a health and wellness community for American veterans. Hallett, the wife of Army Capt. John Hallett who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009, will join forces with retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Lee Yoneyama, wear blue’s COO, along with retired Army Col. Michael “Sully” Sullivan, Team RWB’s executive director, in the feat of endurance.

“Sept. 11 was the day we were attacked, and Sept. 12 was the day that we came together,” said Hallett, who will take turns run-carrying a single American flag with Yoneyama and Sullivan from September 12-16. “And so there’s a little intentionality — not just how do we not just honor the past 25 years, but how we’re going to move forward in the next 25 years. We really wanted to celebrate that spirit of unity, America coming together to do great things.”

Starting at the Intrepid Museum in the Big Apple and ending at the Global War on Terror memorial site in the nation’s capital, the trio of featured runners — all experienced endurance athletes — aims to raise at least $1 million to support the health and wellness of military veterans and surviving families. Beyond the monetary goal, Hallett and Sullivan hope to get people thinking about those who sacrificed in the years since the towers fell and the Pentagon was attacked.

“In the military, we set aside our colors to rally under one shared banner: the American flag. That’s exactly what we’re doing here — uniting two organizations and the entire military-connected community under one symbol to honor the fallen, those who served and continue to serve and their families. We carry their legacy into the next 250 years.” —Michael “Sully” Sullivan

“It’s a big milestone: 250 years for America and 25 since 9/11,” said Hallett, who has never run this distance before. “And I want to make sure that at the forefront of this storytelling are the men and women who have made 250 years of America possible.”

Two of those men are Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart and Staff Sgt. Matthew Ammerman, both of whom worked for Sullivan and were killed in Afghanistan.

“I always carry those two guys with me, but in particular this [year] is hitting home,” Sullivan said. “What I hope for is that this run will get some folks to pause, think about it for a second and be like, ‘250 miles? That sounds crazy! What is it about?’”

The movement remembers not only those who served, but also the 1.3 million Americans who have fallen in service to the nation. Hallett, Lee and Sullivan will be joined each day by anywhere from 15 to 50 supporting runners, including Dr. Tyshawn Jenkins of Wounded Warrior Project and Geoff Grant of USAA, both official sponsors. Coordinating community runs around the nation will take place during the One Flag Forward dates as well.

“One Flag Forward is a powerful reminder that behind every mile carried is a story of service and a legacy that unites us all.” —USAA Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer Lindsey O’Neill

There are plenty of accompanying logistics to think about for the featured runners, like eating 100 calories every 40 minutes, getting at least six hours of sleep a night in hotels, running eight minutes before walking two, pacing themselves for the anticipated 50-mile, 12- and 13-hour days, and (hopefully) incurring zero injuries and blisters. But there are also five pillars — one per day — that One Flag Forward runners will be focusing on: unity, service, honor, sacrifice and legacy.

“Hopefully [observers] realize it’s about again that idea that we came together after Sept. 11,” Sullivan said. “This idea that as Americans there are opportunities to set aside some of the petty stuff and remember what makes us who we are.”

And Hallett knows exactly who Americans are, because she has seen their grit firsthand.

“When I think about those miles — I’m always carrying John with me, but I’m carrying these military families with me each step of that way, too,” she said. “I do hope that those are the stories that are elevated, and that every American takes pride that we do have the greatest military in the world, carried by the greatest families in the world.”

Visit One Flag Forward’s website for more information, including routes, community events and how to donate.