An American flag, first flown by the U.S. military in combat, began its more than 10,000 mile “Rolling Remembrance” relay to help raise awareness of, and funds for, Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, an organization that provides college scholarships and educational counseling to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
This is the seventh year that PepsiCo has honored the military heroes who lost their lives while serving the United States through this program. 36 PepsiCo drivers – who happen to be military veterans themselves – will transport the American flag across the country, handing it off to one another at relay points from Seattle to New York.
“Each leg of this journey has meaning, to the driver, the community and the families of fallen patriots that Rolling Remembrance honors,” said Jim Farrell, Senior Vice President of Operations, PepsiCo Beverages North America Central Division and Executive Sponsor of PepsiCo Valor employee resource group. “By honoring the sacrifices of these military heroes, supporting their families through Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, and recognizing our own military veterans at PepsiCo, we celebrate the important role of veterans in our country and in our company.”
On March 31, the flag was carried by JetBlue, on a flight piloted by veterans, in partnership with the airlines’ Vets in Blue crewmember resource group to kick-off this year’s relay, flying the American flag from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to its first stop in Seattle. This year’s veteran drivers collectively represent every branch of the U.S. military and have served the country at home and abroad.
The flag is now travelling the remainder of its 53-stop relay journey throughout the United States and will conclude at PepsiCo’s headquarters in Purchase, N.Y. just before Memorial Day. The annual event is led in partnership with PepsiCo’s employee resource group, PepsiCo Valor, which supports veteran PepsiCo employees and veterans in communities across the country.
Approximately 25,000 children have lost a parent in military service over the last 35 years. Through scholarships and educational counseling, Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation helps to bridge the average $25,000 gap between government assistance programs and the cost of a four-year degree that scholars face. To donate to Children of Fallen Patriots foundation, visit https://donate.fallenpatriots.org/RR2022.
“Since 2015, PepsiCo has raised more than $1.4 million in donations, which have had impact on the lives of the Children of Fallen Patriots, their families and their communities,” said David Kim, co-founder and CEO of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. “Investing in the education of military children who lost a parent in the line of duty is one of the best ways we can honor those who lost their lives defending our country and build up the next generation of leaders.”
