Albany NY (August 4, 2005) - - - Albany International Airport will host the Fifth Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Plane Pull to benefit the Special Olympics New York on Tuesday, August 9th. This year contestants will be pulling a World War II era B-17 Bomber. The Plane Pull, which is open to spectators, will begin at 6:00 p.m. Registration for the Plane Pull will begin at 4:00 p.m. August 9th.

Special Olympics New York and the Airport are inviting teams sponsored by corporations, unions, public-safety departments, community organizations and the general public to enter the competition. Competing teams donate $500 to Special Olympics New York for a chance to win a trophy and the "bragging rights" for the fastest team to pull the B-17. Teams can enter at the event or by contacting Special Olympics New York at 518 388-0793.

Plane Pull is part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, a series of year-round fund-raising efforts organized by law enforcement officers throughout the state to benefit Special Olympics New York. The Torch Run includes the annual Cops & Lobsters fund-raiser through Red Lobster restaurants, golf tournaments, Polar Plunges, Harley-Davidson raffles, Fire Truck Pulls, the annual Torch Run to the Summer Games and many other public awareness and fund-raising activities.

"We are grateful to Albany International Airport, the Commemorative Air Force and the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police for donating their time and resources to this unique event," said Neal J. Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics New York. "Their professionalism and dedication truly makes a difference in the lives of our athletes and their families."

American B-17's flew daylight bombing raids over Europe during World War II from air bases in England and Italy. The "Flying Fortress" lived up to its name by being able to sustain considerable damage and still bring its 10-member crew home.

Sentimental Journey was built by Douglas in late 1944 and served in the Pacific. After the war, it was transferred to Elgin Field in Florida for service as an air-sea rescue craft. In 1959, it went into storage and was then sold to a California Company for service as a Borate Bomber, flying thousands of sorties against forest fires throughout the country. In January of 1978, Sentimental Journey was donated to the Arizona Wing of the Confederate Air Force (now Commemorative Air Force). The aircraft was disassembled and then painstakingly restored to its original World War II configuration.

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