EPICC: ECONOMIC
PATRIOTISM IN IRVINE AND COAST TO COAST
Monday, November 12, 2001
Greetings:
From the thousands of people, represented by175
cities within 23 states across the nation, together we have
demonstrated our economic patriotism. What began as a local,
grassroots campaign in Irvine, California is now national. The nation
has arrived in New York City to demonstrate that air travel is safe
and providing financial support to The Big Apple essential.
November 11th signaled the 2nd month since our
nation’s war on terrorism began. It also commemorated Veteran’s
Day and celebrated The National EPICC Campaign’s results – upwards
of 5,000 people, representing every race, culture, religion and
diverse background traveled to New York.
What was our first observation? If you think your
community is displaying American flags, you haven’t seen anything
yet. New Yorkers, from every background are united, warm, inviting and
patriotic. Each person we encounter is as emotionally embracing as
were all the airline flight crews. It’s a new day.
The City of New York had asked if there was
anything they could do for us? The media wanted to know if there were
any gala events planned? TV and newspaper reporters wanted to follow
the fanfare. There is none. This campaign isn’t about us. It’s
about the airlines and our new sentimental currency, buying theater
tickets, dining at restaurants, supporting the hotels and shopping in
advance of the holiday retail season. It’s about New York. The only
invitation we accepted was to tour Ground Zero. A team of diverse
citizens and EPICC supporters will visit lower Manhattan today.
Including EPICC Cofounders, Mitch Goldstone and Chris Mears, EPICC’s
Chief Technical Officer and web design team leader, Carl Berman,
Orange Country, CA Board of Supervisor, Cynthia Coad, Irvine Chamber
of Commerce board member, Robin Uptegraff from The Irvine Company, and
several citizens including a 5th grade school math teacher,
business leaders and Iranian-American’s.
EPICC is hosted a gathering on November 11th for many
of those registered with the group. We asked those interested to join us
at 10:00 a.m. at 23rd Street and 5th Avenue to
watch NY Mayor Giuliani commence the City’s Veteran’s Day Parade.
How were the flights? What was New York like? The
expressions of appreciation and visible unification from everyone
showcases our nation’s resolve. The nearly 5,000 people visiting
this weekend will have unique encounters, but their harvest of
chronicles will parallel ours. "The Capitol of the World" is
alive and recovering. The airline flights are smoother, more secure
and friendly than ever. We are witnesses that the nation is united in
its resolve to recover.
Please visit this site for more updates and
complete photo experience from the
trip.
Welcome back America,
Mitch Goldstone & Chris Mears
Cofounders
The National EPICC Campaign
(EPICC: Economic Patriotism in Irvine & Coast
to Coast)
92 Corporate Park Plaza; Site B
Irvine, CA 92606
e-mail: info@epiccusa.com
www.epiccusa.com
Accredited media who would like to interview
EPICC travelers from across the nation, please reply to: info@epiccusa.com
Mitch Goldstone and Chris Mears
Mr. Goldstone is president of
Irvine-based 30 Minute Photos Etc., a member of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce’s
board of directors and an Irvine city commissioner. Chris Mears, is a lawyer and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Irvine.
Goldstone and Mears are Cofounders of the National EPICC Campaign.
