October 2, 2015

Mr. Don Wade

The Memphis Daily News
193 Jefferson
Memphis, TN 38103
Dear Don:
In early December Navy veteran Chris Ring will make history in
memory of servicemen and women who have been killed in battle.
Ring is attempting to become only the second person to swim the
entire 2552 mile length of the Mississippi River. Rings goal is to raise
awareness for those who lost family members in the Iraq war.
Ring has partnered with Legacies Alive, a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to support and strengthen the families of fallen heroes.
Legacies Alive celebrates the life and character of those who have
fallen and connects families with other military families in an effort to
create support.
The Navy veteran began his swim in Minnesota and is currently 118
days into his journey as he crosses the Illinois-Kentucky border. Soon,
Ring will cross through Memphis. In early December he plans to reach
his final destination, New Orleans.
Your publication covers local events, and I see you wrote an article
about the Machine Mobile Food Market. I believe covering this
swimming challenge would not only showcase this amazing athletic
feat but also shed light on this important issue to your readers.
Ring typically begins swimming at 9 a.m. he is available for phone
interviews between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. He usually swims for about
seven hours a day and is also available for phone or in person
interviews from around 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Please contact me at smhowe2@illinois.edu to discuss a possible
interview or if you would like assistance in planning an event. In
addition, I am happy to provide you with digital photos of Ring and a
graphic outlining his progress on a map.
Sincerely,

Savannah Howe
Media Relations Intern
Legacies Alive
smhowe2@illinois.edu
Subject: Navy veteran swims entire Mississippi River
Dear Valerie:
Navy veteran Chris Ring is currently swimming the 2552 miles of the
Mississippi River for families of servicemen and women who were killed
in battle.
Ring has partnered with Legacies Alive for the challenge, known as
Swim for Their Sacrifice. Legacies Alive is a non-profit organization
whose mission is to support and strengthen the families of fallen
heroes.
Today marks day 118 of his journey as Ring crosses into Kentucky. He
will soon be swimming through Memphis en route to his final
destination, New Orleans.
I know you have taken part in community events in the past, and I
believe this newsworthy event would be a great piece for your morning
show.
Ring is available for phone interviews between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
and phone or in person interviews between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
If you would be interested in having Chris on your show, please feel
free to contact me at smhowe2@illinois.edu. I look forward to hearing
from you.
Regards,

Savannah Howe