Honoring One Flag Forward: How Evocati PR Fueled Team RWB's 250-Mile Relay
Delivering Over 100 Million Impressions and Hands-On Event Support for an Historic 250-Mile Journey
Introduction
ON THE STEPS OF the Lincoln Memorial gathered a group of motivated leaders facing the rising sun breaking through the Washington Monument’s steepled edge. The group included representatives from Veteran Service Organizations, volunteers on a mission, and other runners ready for an early-rise challenge.
Some were warming up, legs stretching, while others casually sipped their morning beverage of choice in search of alertness. Everyone was there for the same reason: to kick-off the final day of One Flag Forward.
One Flag Forward was an extraordinary 250-mile relay from New York City to Washington, D.C., honoring 9/11 victims and fallen service members, spearheaded by Evocati PR client, Team Red, White, & Blue (Team RWB), and wear blue: run to remember. The relay took place between September 12-16, 2026.
Representatives from Team RWB, wear blue: run to remember, and other Veteran Service Organizations gather in a “Circle of Remembrance” in front of the Lincoln Memorial to kick-off the final day of One Flag Forward. (Source: Evocati PR)
Evocati PR led the strategic communications and media relations campaign, securing over 100 million potential impressions nationwide. Beyond driving the earned media success, our team provided critical, boots-on-the-ground management and cross-coalition strategy to ensure the historic event resonated across America.
READ MORE: Team Red, White & Blue Appears on Fox News LIVE Thanks to Evocati PR
National Impact Meets Purpose-Driven PR
Col. Mike “Sully” Sullivan (Ret.), Executive Director at Team RWB (left) and Lisa Hallet, Co-founder and CEO at wear blue: run to remember (right) begin One Flag Forward in New York City. (Source: Team RWB)
The One Flag Forward campaign demonstrated the power of purpose-driven storytelling. Evocati PR secured 324 total media placements across television, print, and digital channels, achieving a total potential reach of 103,748,985 impressions without a single dollar spent on paid placements. Key campaign highlights include:
National Broadcast Dominance: Captured 197 individual broadcast hits on NBC's national morning news program, Early Today, airing in local affiliate markets coast-to-coast.
Washington, D.C. Market Impact: Earned 11 targeted local D.C. broadcast and digital placements, featuring live hits on WUSA 9 (CBS) and WTTG-TV (FOX 5 DC), alongside dedicated spotlight coverage in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' official publication, VA News.
Regional Market Penetration: Secured key local coverage in major New York outlets, including WRGB-TV (CBS 6 Albany), WHAM-TV (Rochester), and WTVH-TV (Syracuse).
READ MORE: Best Practices for Marketing to the Military-Connected Community
Beyond Earned Media: Real-World Value and Coalition Support
Runners and stakeholders cross the finish line together to successfully conclude One Flag Forward in Washington, D.C. (Source: Team RWB)
Securing headlines is only one piece of a successful public relations strategy. Executing a multi-day, 250-mile event requires seamless operations, strategic flexibility, and hands-on client advocacy. Evocati PR proved its commitment to Team RWB by delivering critical support that extended far beyond traditional media pitching:
On the final day, our firm provided direct, on-site event staffing from start to finish. We attended the early morning kick-off in Washington, D.C., to align messaging and media logistics. At the relay's emotional closing ceremony in D.C., Evocati PR Account Supervisors Dylan Steadman and Tory Hyde managed broadcast crews from FOX 5 and WUSA9.
One Flag Forward was a group effort involving Team RWB, wear blue: run to remember, presenting sponsor USAA, and agency partners like 160over90. Evocati PR acted as a central hub, aligning messaging across organizations and securing high-profile quotes for national outlets such as PEOPLE magazine.
To support newsrooms unable to send on-site crews, Evocati PR facilitated daily digital asset workflows. By coordinating prompt uploads of high-resolution photo and B-roll packages, our team ensured national broadcast desks had immediate access to broadcast-ready footage of runners carrying the American flag.
Following the event's completion, Evocati PR compiled comprehensive, data-backed coverage reports. This analysis provided Team RWB and its corporate partners with clear metrics demonstrating the return on their investment and the nationwide reach of their mission.
Amplifying Missions That Matter
Col. Mike “Sully” Sullivan (Ret.), Executive Director at Team RWB (left), Liberty Simmons, Navy veteran and Host of DC News Now’s Service Strong (center), and Lisa Hallet, Co-founder and CEO at wear blue: run to remember (right) pose for a photo after their interview. (Source: Evocati PR)
At Evocati PR, we believe public relations should build community, inspire action, and drive lasting social impact. Our work alongside Team RWB, wear blue: run to remember, and USAA during One Flag Forward highlights how strategic planning and hands-on partnership elevate vital missions to a national stage.
If your organization is ready to maximize its impact and tell stories that resonate, contact Evocati PR today to schedule a free consultation.
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