U.S. Honor Flag to Make Stop at the Dell Diamond
July 5, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Ryan Sanders Baseball and the Round Rock Express Baseball Club are pleased to announce that the United States Honor Flag will make a stop at The Dell Diamond for the Friday, July 9, game between the Express and the Oklahoma City RedHawks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT
The morning of Sept. 11, 2001, what has come to be known as the United States Honor Flag was flying atop the Texas Capitol in Austin. It has become one of the most cherished and revered national symbols in the post-9/11 era. That flag, which has traveled from Austin to Ground Zero in New York City to the Middle East and countless stops in between, will embark on a multi-city tour of Texas throughout July.
Prior to the National Anthem during pregame ceremonies, The Honor Flag will be hoisted beyond the centerfield wall at The Dell Diamond. The flag will be lowered after three innings and replaced with the U.S. flag that usually flies at Express games. The Honor Flag then will be on display in The Dell Diamond concourse for fans to observe.
"Obviously, it is exciting and humbling to have something of this magnitude come to The Dell Diamond," Express President Jay Miller said. "What the Honor Flag has come to represent is a testament to the American spirit and to the brave men and women who serve to protect our freedoms and keep us safe."
The tour is led by The Honor Network, an Austin-based, non-profit organization that is the trusted custodian of the U.S. Honor Flag. This unique patriotic program, known as The Honor Tour, is being underwritten by Chevrolet.
The Honor Tour begins today as the Honor Flag arrives at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The flag will be at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Independence Day with subsequent stops at the Texas Rangers Museum in Waco (July 8), The Dell Diamond (July 9), the City of Lakeway's Aquapalooza (July 10), the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi (July 15), the Hero Ride motorcycle rally in San Antonio (July 17), Sea World in San Antonio (July 18), the Johnson Space Center in Houston (July 23) and Minute Maid Park in Houston (July 24).
The flag also will make stops at police and firefighter memorials, two hospitals, a YMCA camp and other children-focused locations along the way. Additionally, the flag will make impromptu stops in many Texas towns along the tour route.
The U.S. Honor Flag was gifted to Chris Heisler by the Texas Houston of Representatives shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. With the flag in hand, Heisler traveled from Austin to Ground Zero where the flag was hoisted on a crane and flew over much of the recovery efforts. The events of 9/11 inspired Heisler to enlist in the U.S. Army; the flag accompanied him on missions in the Middle East.
Over the past nine years, the flag has appeared at numerous community and national presentations and ceremonies. It has become a symbol of the sacrifice and service of the nation's military, law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first-responders.
"Everywhere this flag goes, it inspires a flood of emotion, pride and patriotism," Heisler, who serves as president of The Honor Network, said. "We are thrilled to bring this national symbol to thousands of Texans during July, the month we celebrate the founding of the nation. Sometimes the best gift we can give to our troops and first-responders is the gift of awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices they have made."
The Honor Tour includes a mobile text charity donation opportunity with proceeds going to support ongoing recognition programs of The Honor Network. Text FLAG to 85944 to contribute $10 to The Honor Network. As a follow-up to the tour, The Honor Network also plans to distribute portions of the proceeds to worthy organizations serving the needs of the military and first responder communities.
"At Chevrolet, we are proud to partner with The Honor Network to help bring the United States Honor Flag and its message to so many," Craig Eppling, regional communications manager of Chevrolet, said.
For more information on the U.S. Honor Flag, visit www.ushonorflag.org.
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