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Stars and Stripes Across America Tour
A Brief History

In the summer of 2002, about 3,000 Corvette owners drove their Corvettes across America collecting and carrying American flags bound as gifts for the Pentagon and New York City.

The object of the tour was to raise money to be used for replacing equipment that was lost on September 11, 2001 in New York City and to present the City with American Flags that were donated by people, cities and towns from all across America.

The tour began on June 20th 2002 in Blaine, Washington State at the Canadian Border.  The routes took us through small towns and big cities all across America. The converging points were in Oklahoma City, OK, Bowling Green, KY, and the Pentagon in Washington DC.

The northern route also paid its respects at the crash site in Shanksville, PA.

We arrived in New York City on July 2nd.

Gathered along the way were seven flags that had flown over the Capitol building in Washington DC and certified by the United States Congress for the Stars & Stripes Across America event. There was a flag from Texas, certified by the Texas State Legislator. There were flags from Canada, The Netherlands, and Great Britain that were mailed to us.

On July 3rd, we met at the Pentagon and presented a flag to the assembled dignitaries.  The Pentagon's Military then gave us this flag to bring with our others, to be given to the people of New York City as a show of their support.

On July 4th, at the WTC, Ground Zero we presented all of the flags and other items, such as the hundreds of Police and Fire Department patches that were given to the tour's participants and included in the presentation to New York City.  We also collected monetary donations that we gave to the NYPD K9 Units and the FDNY Hazmat Fund in New York City.

At the July 4th presentation we agreed to take the Pentagon flag back on temporary loan, and to display it at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. The Museum prominently displayed this Flag along with pictures and a map of the Stars & Stripes Tour.

We now present this American Flag as a permanent gift to the people of Staten Island so they may display it at Borough Hall and know that all of us, as fellow Americans share their loss.

RUDY REGELIN
National Tour Director, Stars & Stripes Across America

JACK PALLY
NY State Tour Director, Stars & Stripes Across America,  President, Richmond County Corvette Club

Related Stars & Stripes Photo Galleries

• Arriving in New York for Stars and Stripes July 3rd 2002
• Stars and Stripes Welcome to New York Party July 3rd 2002
• Stars and Stripes Drive to WTC Site New York City, New York July 4th 2002
• Flag Ceremony June 14, 2004