The Spirit of Liberty Foundation and the San Diego Air & Space Museum are launching Operation Thank You, America’s first ever “Relay in the Sky,” with a kick-off ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, at 11 a.m. (Pacific time) at the museum.
Created as a tribute to healthcare professionals and first responders, the relay will take off Sept. 24 from San Diego International Airport, flying to 98 cities across all 50 states and culminating in Washington D.C. on Oct. 30.
During the launch ceremony, the specially-created Spirit of Liberty Torch and Love Healthcare Heroes Flag will be unveiled. The torch and flag will be on board all flights throughout the relay, and commemorative flags will be gifted to each city on the flight path at local ceremonies featuring dignitaries and honorees including doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, and other healthcare workers.
“COVID-19 is everyone’s number one concern as it can affect anyone’s health, income, and education. Healthcare workers are being taxed at a new level,” said Spirit of Liberty Chairman Richard Rovsek. “Operation Thank You, the Relay in the Sky is more than just a representation of America’s gratitude. It will honor healthcare workers and first responders across the country and lift the spirits of Americans.”
A crucial element to the operation is the commitment of the American Hospital Association with 5,000-plus member hospitals.
“This is an effort that is so greatly needed,” says AHA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer M. Michelle Hood.
Also supporting the relay are the California Aeronautical University (CAU), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Business Aviation Association, Commemorative Air Force, Experimental Aircraft Association, National Air Transportation Association, and General Aviation Manufacturers Association, with a combined membership of nearly 700,000. Additionally, FBOs, including Signature Flight, Atlantic Aviation and Million Air, will host the local ceremonies.
You can download a schedule of the stops, plus volunteer to participate in the relay, at SpiritOfLibertyFoundation.org.
Spirit of Liberty Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization based in Rancho Santa Fe, California. It was originally formed to raise funds and assist in the restoration and maintenance of the Statue of Liberty, as well as Ellis Island. Since its founding, it has expanded its mission to enhance the meaning of liberty and support America’s heroes who volunteer to risk their lives to protect the freedoms and liberties that Americans enjoy every day.
To follow Operation Thank You’s journey across America, visit SpiritofLibertyFoundation.org.