We received the following copy of an email from Nathan S. Clark about the Yellow Ribbon Express (YRE) train that is in the planning stages. The email explains the purpose of this project.
Subject: YELLOW RIBBON EXPRESS: $250,000 Cntribution and BHL Contract
Good afternoon, Julia and Scott.
Recall our discussions of the development of the YELLOW RIBBON EXPRESS steam-powered train tour of 150 cities in the 48 contiguous states to show our nation's grateful appreciation for our troops. Behind the scenes, the wheels have been turning in connection with getting the YRE's wheels turning. I thought The Gratitude Campaign and AmericaSupportsYou.mil would both like to know about this recent major contribution from a private individual:
"We are most grateful to be able to announce that we have received a $250,000 contribution from a West Point graduate who after his army career went on to become a very successful Wall Street investor. He believes that it is vitally important that the nation show its appreciation to the brave men and women serving on the front lines, and he further believes that the Yellow Ribbon Express will effectively deliver that message. This generous contribution will now permit us to begin in earnest the critical next step, which is the writing of the full business plan and sponsor acquisition plan.
"We are pleased to announce, effective May 1, 2008, the hiring of the nationally acclaimed firm of Barry Howard Limited www.barryhowardlimited.com of Santa Monica, CA to construct the full business plan and sponsor acquisition plan. Barry Howard was the master-planner for the highly acclaimed American Freedom Train and we are confident that he will produce an equally exciting and compelling exhibit for the ten display cars on the Yellow Ribbon Express."
The YRE will be a VERY powerful symbol of gratitude to our nation's military personnel, extending back over two centuries. Throughout its 3 year, 150-city nationwide display tour... "The Yellow Ribbon Express will tell the 300-year story of the American democracy with an emphasis on thanking those who have answered the call to duty and served the nation at different critical times of need.
"It will set out with the purpose of, "...uniting us all in our gratitude to those who have served the nation in harm's way, in our military services. Hundreds of original artifacts from our nation's history will be on board its ten display cars, which will employ all available state-of-the-art display technologies to tell the story of our 230 year old fight to protect freedom. As was amply shown by the success of the 1976 "American Freedom Train", these priceless artifacts will ensure the train's "must-see" status throughout the nation."
If you are too young to recall,
"The American Freedom Train was a 26-car train led by one of three enormous steam engines restored just for the occasion. Over a 21-month period from April 1, 1975 to December 31, 1976 more than 7 million Americans visited the train during its tour of all 48 contiguous states. Tens of millions more stood trackside to see it go by. It was by far the greatest event on rails since the end of the steam era, and the uniquely magnificent vehicle that brought America's Bicentennial celebration to the people.
"Be sure to read the poem, "A Soldier's Wish" (by LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN, serving in Iraq) that is posted on the site's 'Timeline' page, which YRE founder Ross Rowland declares, "...so perfectly and powerfully speaks to the very essence of the Yellow Ribbon Express project". As I know you'll recognize, the last two stanzas, especially, 'sum it all up'... http://www.yellowribbonexpress.com/
Warmest Regards,
---Nate