It was a privilege to participate in this run. I had the opportunity to run a Beverly Hills leg and then joined back up with the flag for the last 2 and a half legs.

I was able to run with and meet some great people (a Marine Colonel from Camp Pendleton, a Navy Sailor from San Diego, a Arizona Army National Guard soldier, LAX SRT Team, airlines personnel from all over the country, and several others from all sorts of different walks of life).

It was amazing to see the reaction of the people that we ran by, from the waves and cheers to the stunned look in some peoples eyes as we ran in the rain on that early Veteran's Day morning with the American Flag held high. Running through the LAX loop by all of the terminals was an experience to say the least, but the most moving by far was the joining of the flag with the families that were awaiting the flags arrival near Dockweiler Beach.

It was also a privilege to stand before the veterans that awaited us at the VA hospital auditorium. The veterans and civilians of the past and present who have served our country are the ones who have helped preserve our freedoms that we have and hold today.

I wish to thank all of those who worked so hard to make this happen. It was something that is special and will be remembered by not only the family and friends of their lost loved ones, but also for those of us who had a chance to participate in such a great event under tragic circumstances.

Semper Fidelis,

SPC Michael A. Hummel
Recon Platoon, 140th Chemical Co. (Los Alamitos)
California Army National Guard

Newport Beach, CA

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