herbert & joy press

A nation in mourning. A city recovering. A unique moment in history when people came together to rebuild hope.

When an unimaginable crisis emerged, politically polarized Oregon found a common mission. Three weeks after the September 11th terrorist attacks, airplanes were empty and the New York economy was tanking. So one thousand Freedom Fliers committed to taking sixty-two flights to NYC and infusing local businesses with revenue to show their unwavering support.

Arriving en masse to the grief-filled streets, Oregonians from diverse backgrounds and social statuses came to make a difference in their fellow Americans’ lives. But beyond the much-needed economic boost, these unsung heroes discovered themselves providing something even more essential... their open hearts.

Finalist, History, independent Author Network Awards

Sally Ruth Bourrie, freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune and The Boston Globe, witnessed firsthand this remarkable phenomenon sparked by the 2001 Flight for Freedom.

In a comprehensive and poignant account, she brings this extraordinary and largely unknown story vividly to life. In Oregon Loves New York, you’ll discover:

- How everyday people can make a huge difference by being present for others in times of need

-Ways a divided community can put aside politics, ideologies, and disagreements to achieve amazing things together

- More than 500 pages of tales of courage and humanity, including 200 full-color photographs, 100 personal interviews, 20 years of research, and archival news pieces now lost to history

- Heart-touching examples of the healing power of person-to-person contact and how we as a nation can honor each other

- Insight into a little-known event with a huge impact, positive messages of hope, and much, much more!

Oregon Loves New York: A Story of American Unity After 9/11 Abridged Edition focuses on the as-it-happened Flight for Freedom exclusively, without the chapters found in the original edition that provide background and context for this historic event: chapters on Oregon history and extensive interviews with New Yorkers. Oregon Loves New York: A Story of American Unity After 9/11 Abridged Edition is a stunning look into a country rising from the ashes of unthinkable catastrophe. If you like true-life narratives, triumphs over tragedy, and the goodness of the human spirit, then you’ll be uplifted by Sally Ruth Bourrie’s inspirational journey.