REDMOND, Wash., June 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Team
Red, White and Blue (Team RWB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
supporting U.S. veterans, today announced that it will be
conducting the second annual Old Glory Relay presented by Microsoft
Corp. Microsoft is committed to leading and challenging the
technology industry to inspire and develop veterans for robust job
opportunities.
Registration is now open for the relay, which will celebrate Old
Glory at every stop, and raise awareness and critical funds for the
organization and the veterans it supports. Along the route, Team
RWB will bring together local communities, Veteran Services
Providers, corporate partners, student veterans groups, and local
Team RWB Eagles to connect and strengthen the networks that work
with veterans to inspire empathy, create action and have impact
toward closing the civilian-military divide.
Supported by the local communities along the course and by
virtual supporters from across the nation, 59 teams will move Old
Glory throughout the 3,400 mile course. The relay will be held over
approximately 60 days, commencing in San
Francisco on Sept. 11 at
sunrise, and concluding in Washington,
D.C., on Nov. 8 at
sunset.
Each day will begin with the American flag being unfurled and
entrusted to the day's first runner and will end with the last
runner folding the flag and storing it for safekeeping overnight.
During the relay, the flag will be passed from runner to runner
along a pre-determined route, with no less than 50 miles traveled
each day. Teams of runners will carry the flag for a day, as well
as choose how many runners to use and how far each runner will run.
A celebration will be held every day of the relay, to allow towns
along the route to participate in meaningful way.
The route cuts directly through the heartland of the country.
Route decisions are made based on safety, appropriateness for
running, landmarks, and interest in key cities and areas.
"We believe that the Old Glory embodies all of the
characteristics we embrace from teamwork and camaraderie to
perseverance and sacrifice," said Blayne
Smith, executive director of Team Red, White and Blue.
"We are proud to partner with Team Red, White and Blue as we
cross our great nation together in the Old Glory Relay. We
strongly admire their organization as it enriches the lives of
veterans and their families through inclusive and healthy
connections in local communities," said Chris Cortez, vice president, Military Affairs,
Microsoft. "We hope that by engaging our entire Microsoft community
in the Old Glory Relay we'll inspire the IT industry to join us in
our mission to open doors to IT careers for the next greatest
generation and to embrace the amazing talent veterans have to
offer."
To register as a relay team or as an individual, visit
OldGloryRelay.org, click the red Sign-Up Today button, and follow
the prompts to set up a team.
Team RWB also invites nonrunners from across the country to
participate as virtual supporters of the 59 relay teams. Supporters
can contribute to relay teams by providing a team care package,
purchasing a team shirt, or making a donation in any denomination
toward team fundraising goals at OldGloryRelay.org. Incentives will
be awarded to teams that achieve their fundraising goals.
About Team Red, White & Blue
Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) is a registered 501c3
nonprofit organization with headquarters in Tampa, FL. Team RWB's goal is to transform the
way America supports its veterans when they leave the military by
bringing veterans, their families, and American citizens together
through authentic social interaction and shared experiences in
communities all over America. There are currently 115 Team RWB
chapters across the United States.
To learn more about Team Red, White & Blue and how you can
help, visit www.teamrwb.org.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) is the leading platform and
productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and
its mission is to empower every person and every organization on
the planet to achieve more.
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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.