On dawn of the Saturday preceding the 9/11 anniversary, the world’s largest free-flying American flag flew at the George Washington Bridge as a tribute to the victims of September 11, 2001. The original flag was removed in 2000 for the recently completed bridge painting project, but restored for one week following the attacks on 9/11. This new flag will be the first to fly at the bridge since September 2001. The 450-pound flag was flown from dawn until dusk on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Located under the upper arch of the bridge’s New Jersey tower, the flag is 90 feet by 60 feet and drapes vertically, flying freely, responding to breezes from the Hudson River or Palisades. The flag’s stripes are approximately five feet wide and the stars measure about four feet in diameter. Weather permitting, the flag will also be flown on the following eight holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day.

Jeanne Olivier, General Manager of Aviation Security and Technology at the Port Authority, has gone to Iraq on a temporary assignment with the U.S. State Department to assist in the rebuilding of commercial airports there. As developing countries affected by wars and economic deprivation reach out to the developing world to help them grow and rebuild, government agencies, organizations and individuals continue to provide a broad range of assistance to these areas. Jeanne Olivier, General Manager of Security and Technology in the Port Authority’s Aviation Department, is one of these individuals.
See Focus on the Customer, page 19

Delta Air Lines is taking flight for the fight against breast cancer. In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the airline is introducing a Delta Pink Plane to raise awareness for the cause and for its partner, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The plane was unveiled at a special event in Atlanta on Sept. 28. The plane will visit markets the airline serves nationwide. Throughout October, Delta will offer pink lemonade to customers for $2 on all domestic and most international flights with 100% of the proceeds benefiting BCRF. To for more information visit www.bcrfcure.org.

American Airlines, in conjunction with US Helicopter, Terminal 9 JFK, transport Milo the Duck to JRB, to commence the festivities of the annual Special Olympics in NYC. And who is the young man inside the duck? Well, his name is Alan Russo and he is from Staten Island. Alan trains in 8 different Special Olympics sports and competed this year at the National Games in Iowa as one of a select group of athletes from New York. He competed in Bowling. He has three brothers – Kris, Damian and Ronnie – all of them are Special Olympics athletes.