PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AT GROUND ZERO TODAY POLICE UNITY TOUR Holds Special Tribute to Officers Who Died on September 11 -- Kick off to 6th Annual Fundraising Bike Ride For National Law Enforcement Memorial

WHO: 75 Law Enforcement Officers from New York City, Port Authority and New Jersey of the POLICE UNITY TOUR are holding a Memorial Ceremony for Law Enforcement Officers killed in WTC disaster. After the ceremony, they are riding bicycles from Ground Zero to the Green at Morristown, NJ for a Candlelight Service and kick-off of annual ride to National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC. WHEN: Wednesday, May 8, 2002 -- 9:00 Memorial Service -- Ground Zero

Law Enforcement Officers from around the country are coming together to raise money and ride to Washington, D.C. to honor those killed in the line of duty and to present their annual donation to the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

DETAILS: The purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to give tribute to the 75 Law Enforcement Officers who died in the line of duty on September 11, 2001, and the 100 officers who were killed in the calendar year 2001. Every year the Police Unity Tour departs from Northern New Jersey, and this year more than 200 Police Officers representing New Jersey, New York, Ohio, California, Florida and the Port Authority will depart for the 340-mile tour from this years' host city, Morristown, NJ.
But, in a special mark of respect to the 75 officers who were killed in the World Trade Center bombing this past September 11, seventy-five riders of the 2002 Police Unity Tour will kick off from Ground Zero in a pre-amble to the main ride.
A Memorial Service will be held at Ground Zero; a public Candlelight Service will be held on the Morristown Green; and a final Memorial Service will be held in Washington, D. C. as this group joins seven other chapters at the Pentagon and rides to the National Law Enforcement Memorial. More than 2,000 members of the public are expected to attend the Morristown Candlelight Service.

DETAILS ON CEREMONY at GROUND ZERO - Wednesday, 5/8/02 - 9:00am
LOGISTICS -- CEREMONY Starts at 9:00am -- Police Unity Tour departs at 10:00am.
- Members of the media can show credentials and be on-site for ceremony. Ground Zero Ceremony - Schedule of Events (est. time = 20 minutes) - Florham Park American Legion Honor Guard (NJ) will fold the colors. --- Morris County Emerald Society will play pipes and drums tribute --- Police Chaplain Andy Prachar will say the benediction -- Craig Floyd, National Law Enforcement Memorial Chairman will read out each name of officers that fell in the name. As the name is called, that symbolic rider will depart from Ground Zero. Each rider will wear a Memorial Bracelet in the name of the rider. Upon reaching the final destination of the National Law Enforcement Memorial, the bracelets will be placed on the engraved names of each respective officer, with a rose. In addition, a Commemorative letter will be given to the victim's family, saying that their loved one will never be forgotten.

DETAILS ON Morristown Candlelight Ceremony: LOGISTICS: -- Wednesday, May 8, 2002--- 5:30PM - 7:00 PM - Police Vehicle Display- 7:00PM - 8:00PM Candlelight Ceremony (est. time 1 hour)--- Press should park on South Park Street, at the Morristown Green-- Media Briefing station located behind row of tents.
Schedule of Events: Police Unity Tour riders will have Motorcycle escort from Police HQ around Green--- Keynote speaker is Craig Floyd, Exec. Director of Memorial. -- National Anthem sung by a daughter of the Police Unity Tour --- Michael Ubertaccio, Master of Ceremonies, will talk about the meaning "The Thin Blue Line" --CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: - During the Candlelight vigil, the names of all 100 officers killed in the line of duty in the calendar year 2001, in the tri-state area, including NJ, NY, and Port Authority, will be recognized. As each name is called out, the church bells of the Morristown Presbyterian Church will toll once for each individual. - Closing prayer from Father Andy, Police Chaplain. CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES on Morristown Green -- Canine Divisions -- Mounted Police Units -- Face Painting -- Clowns -- Girl and Boy Scouts -- Police Vehicle Displays

FINAL DESTINATION -- Washington, DC
Seven Police Unity Tour chapters will congregate at the PENTAGON for the final ride into the Law Enforcement Memorial. At the successful completion of the ride, the name of each fallen officer will be called out and at that point, the Police Unity Tour rider representing that officer will ride in. They will lay down the Memorial Bracelet and a rose on the engraving of officer's name, in their honor. A Commemorative letter will be sent to the family saying that their loved one will never be forgotten. Lastly, the Police Unity Tour riders will present the check of donations to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Executive Director, Floyd.

FAQ: Funds are raised for the upkeep of the National Law Enforcement Memorial. Each year, the fundraising efforts have doubled. The Police Unity Tour expects to raise $200,000 this year and has, in aggregate for the five prior years, given over $300,000 already to the National Law Enforcement Memorial. (H. Phillips can give you specifics on the fundraising.) -- Length of ride: 377 miles from Ground Zero to Washington. 340 miles for the primary ride from Morristown to Washington. -- There are 75 riders riding as surrogates in the name of the 75 riders who fell at WTC disaster. Interesting fact: The Port Authority lost 37 officers; it is 37 miles from Ground Zero to Morristown. -- The Police Unity Tour takes 5 days. --- The officers are staying in hotels, thanks to corporate sponsorships. -- The ROUTE: Day 1- Ground Zero - Morristown; Day 2 - Morristown - Harrington (100 miles); Day 3 - Harrington - Lewis, Del, (75 miles); Day 4 - Lewis - Annapolis, MD (100 miles), and Day 5 - Annapolis to DC (35-40 miles). Upon reaching Washington DC, the officers will ride to the Pentagon, congregate with other chapters, and ride to the Memorial.

- Available for interviews: -- Patrick Montoure - Founder/CEO, Police Unity Tour, 973-390-4103 -- Harry Phillips - Exec Director, Police Unity Tour, 973-390-7789 -- Mark Meehan - President, Police Unity Tour, 973-583-6666

HOW TO DONATE
Supporters are encouraged to make donations by individuals or in groups with friends from home, work, school or places of worship. Contributions should be sent to: Police Unity Tour, Incorporated, Post Office Box 528, Florham Park, New Jersey 07932, Police Unity Tour Tax ID #22-3530541

FREE CANDLES and COMMUNITY SPIRIT
First Morris Bank and Trust (www.firstmorris.com), one of Morris County's foremost financial institutions and a leading corporate supporter of community events, is helping to sponsor the tour to Washington D.C., and is providing free candles to all those in need for use in the Candlelight Service. Visit the First Morris Bank and Trust tent for a free candle.

ABOUT THE POLICE UNITY TOUR
The Police Unity Tour Incorporated, is a non-profit organization under section 501(C) 3 of the Internal Revenue code. Members of the United States Congress, seeking to recognize the services and sacrifices of all law enforcement officers throughout the United States, founded the memorial in 1983.

Media Contact: Barbara Brown, Brown & Partners, LLC, Public Relations and Special Events, 622 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052.
973-325-0822 (office); 973-680-0441 (home office); 201-306-6336 (cell) or babsbrown123@aol.com

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