Over 300 Chrysler Group Employees Spell Out 'O Say, Can You See' to Raise Awareness of National Anthem Project

Over 300 Chrysler Group Employees Spell Out 'O Say, Can You See' to Raise Awareness of National Anthem Project

* Employee event celebrates Jeep(R) brand's sponsorship of multi-year initiative to re-teach Americans the words to the national anthem * Oakland County Executive joins employees in the singing of 'The Star- Spangled Banner'

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dressed in white Jeep(R) T-shirts and waving miniature American flags, more than 300 Chrysler Group employees formed the first five words of "The Star-Spangled Banner" -- "O say, can you see" -- on the west lawn of DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills Headquarters today during morning drive time to welcome the National Anthem Project, a national effort to re-teach Americans the words to the national anthem, to Metro Detroit.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060707/DEF001-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060707/DEF001-bhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060707/DEF001-c )

The "National Anthem Project: Restoring America's Voice" is in Detroit July 7-9 as part of a 50-city nationwide tour that kicked off earlier this year from Miami. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson joined Chrysler Group employees in the singing of the national anthem to honor America.

Created by the National Association for Music Education (MENC), the National Anthem Project is a multi-year national education initiative to re- teach Americans the national anthem after a Harris Poll showed that two out of three Americans don't know the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Jeep brand signed on to be the National Presenting Sponsor, building upon its 65- year heritage and role in U.S. history. First Lady Laura Bush serves as Honorary Chairperson.

The words, "O say, can you see," measured approximately 10 ft. wide by 114 ft. long. Employees represented a variety of departments throughout the company from Design to Procurement & Supply to Communications.

"The gathering of Chrysler Group employees who woke up early to be part of this event reinforces and demonstrates how proud we are to be part of the National Anthem Project," said John Plecha, Director - Jeep Marketing & Global Communications. "The Jeep brand is about freedom, being able to 'go anywhere and do anything' -- the foundation of this country. We're pleased to welcome the National Anthem Project to our hometown."

National Anthem Project in Detroit

In addition to its stop at DaimlerChrysler Headquarters, the National Anthem Project tour will be open to the public on Saturday, July 8 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Band Shell on Belle Isle in Detroit and on Sunday, July 9 from noon - 6 p.m. at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills. To celebrate the tour's Auburn Hills visit, the Museum will be offering a "Family Free Day" to anyone who visits with a Chrysler Group employee or retiree that day. On display through August 20 is Hot Rods and Cool Mods, a special collection featuring more than two dozen uniquely customized vehicles.

Aspiring performers also have the opportunity to prove their singing skills in the National Anthem Project All-Star Contest, in which one winner from each state will be awarded a $1,000 donation to his/her local music program and given the opportunity to perform at a concert in Washington, D.C. in 2007. Attendees also will be able to support their local school music programs by joining MusicFriends, a non-profit music advocacy group; donations made to MusicFriends will be used toward large-scale awareness programs for the importance of music education.

As National Presenting Sponsor, the Jeep brand has mobilized a patriotic- themed Jeep Liberty and Jeep Grand Cherokee that are traveling with the tour. And because Jeep is the only "go anywhere, do anything" brand, attendees will have the opportunity to have their picture taken "on the moon," behind a static space suit, in one of the most patriotic images in American history.

For more information about how to get involved and support the National Anthem Project and school music education, please visit http://www.thenationalanthemproject.org/ .

About the Jeep Brand

The Jeep brand's 65-year history of legendary capability has made it synonymous with freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. In 2006, the Jeep brand continues to deliver on its promise to provide rugged, versatile, innovative four-wheel drive vehicles with the recently introduced Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Wrangler 4-door Unlimited. This expansion of the Jeep brand grows its showroom from three to seven sport utility vehicles following last year's introduction of the Jeep Commander. The other two Jeep vehicles are the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty.

The Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee are produced in Detroit, Mich.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060707/DEF001-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060707/DEF001-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060707/DEF001-c )
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Chrysler Group

CONTACT: Jodi Tinson of Chrysler Group, +1-248-512-2944, jt658@dcx.com ;
or Jeff Ormond, +1-248-649-8000, jormond@stratacomm.net , for Chrysler Group

Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.thenationalanthemproject.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com .

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