Diary entry from Jerry D. Mason (for publication in the Clarke County Tribune, 11/1/2001).

September 11, 2001 will be imbedded in the minds of Americans for years. But October 23, 2001 will be imbedded in the minds of a group of young people and adults who participated in the “Flag Across America” run that crossed Mississippi in a two-day event. Stephanie D. Mason of Shubuta, Kristin Wiederhold, an exchange student from Germany, Dustin Lee of Quitman and Vena Ward of Pachuta took up the call to participate in the run that came through Mississippi on its way to the West Coast.

We left Quitman at 3:30 with the intentions of joining the flag run at Chunky, MS. We exited I-20 at the HWY 80 exit at Lost Gap and the enthusiasm of seeing the American Flag, runners and the camper at the truck stop got us to stop and our runners were out and going. Betty Mason and myself in one car and Mrs. Rachel Lee in her pickup followed them for about a mile before I got out to take some pictures and wound up running to stay up with them. The camper following them felt sorry for me and asked me to hop in for some water. The runners ran off-and-on for about 8 miles proudly displaying their pride and their Quitman High School cross-country T-shirts and taking turns carrying the Flag. Almost to Chunky I got my breath back and I was able to carry the flag for a short distance.

This all started as a demonstration of American resolve and in support of the victims' families. Employees of American Airlines, United Airlines, and Military Service Members, and Federal employees decided to run with a United States flag across the country. This flag was flown over Iraq in the cockpit of an U.S. F-16 in support of Operation Southern Watch on October 2, 2001.

The flag left Boston on October 11, 2001 and will be carried around the clock with a goal to arrive in Los Angeles on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2001. These cities represent the origination and destination of American Flight 11 and United Flight 175.

Proceeds from this event will benefit selected charities in support of the victims of the tragedy on September 11, 2001. To make donations to this cause make checks payable to: Americans United Flag Across America c/o Allied First Bank, PO Box 3272, Naperville, IL 60566. Also donations can be made by credit card/debit card by calling 1-800-555-5555 and requesting that a contribution be made to the Flag Run. The progress of the flag can be followed through the web site http://www.flagrun2001.org.