Every day, our industry works to support the communities and people we proudly serve. From large cities to small towns, these communities are our homes, and their residents are our neighbors.

When our neighbors are affected by tragic events, we’re here for them to help pick up the pieces. That’s why PepsiCo began its ‘Rolling Remembrance’ program – to honor the U.S. military heroes who lost their lives defending our country and to help provide for their families.

As part of this program, a combat-flown American flag is transported across the nation to help raise awareness and funds for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation – an organization that provides college scholarships and educational counseling to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

"Since 2015, PepsiCo has used the ‘Rolling Remembrance’ platform to raise funds and awareness – totaling more than $1.5 million in donations – for the Children of Fallen Patriots," said David Kim, co-founder and chief executive officer for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. "What is most impressive is the connection PepsiCo's veteran drivers feel by transporting this flag and the pride they have in knowing that by driving the flag on their normal business route, they are investing in the education of military children who lost a parent in the line of duty."

This year’s remembrance journey began on March 22, when the flag was flown from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Over the next two months, 62 PepsiCo drivers – who are also served proud veterans– carried the flag more than 14,000 miles ending at PepsiCo's headquarters in Purchase, N.Y., just before Memorial Day. At each PepsiCo facility along the route, employees, veterans and other local military members where invited to gather and commemorate the occasion.

"It is an honor to have the ability to involve our own employees who have served their country, whether by giving them the opportunity to drive a leg of the trip or organizing events along the route," said Jim Farrell, senior vice president of supply chain for PepsiCo Beverages North America and executive sponsor for Valor, PepsiCo’s employee resource group which suppprts veteran PepsiCo employees and veterans in communities across the country. "Honoring the sacrifices of these military heroes, supporting their families with Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, and recognizing our own military veterans at PepsiCo is a special occasion for us every year."

Now in its eighth year, PepsiCo’s ‘Rolling Remembrance’ program is an example of the work our industry does to support U.S. military veterans, their families and our workforce who have bravely served and sacrificed for our great nation to protect our country.

Snapshots from this year’s route can be found here and more about the ‘Rolling Remembrance’ program, can be found at https://www.fallenpatriots.org/r-r.