(Mystic-WTNH, Oct. 12, 2001 10:00 PM) _ A symbolic run to complete the flight of the planes hijacked from Boston is making it's way through Connecticut Friday.

At 6:10 this morning, with a police escort leading the way, they crossed the drawbridge into Mystic. "They" are airline employees and volunteers, lead by Mike Burr of Thomaston, a pilot.

He kicked off this cross country relay in the name of the victims who died in the September 11th attacks. Today he got some new team members: Runners from Fitch High School in Groton.

"Doing our part all the way over here in Mystic," says Emily Watson. "We couldn't really go to New York, so we can run! So we'll run!!"

"It's worth it," Josh Bergon says. "Running for my team, for what happened on the 11th for the airlines."

The flag relay actually began yesterday in Boston. Runners will spend the next month literally pounding the pavement until they reach Los Angeles, the destination of the flight tragically aborted on the eleventh.

At 8:30 this morning runners crossed into New London, and by noon they were in Old Saybrook. A little tired but determined to go on.

The kids from Fitch High School may have only run 5-miles of this cross country trek, but they say it's a journey they will remember for the rest of their lives.

The flag they are carrying was flown over Iraq in the cockpit of an F-16 fighter jet last week.

"It's hard to explain to see the turnout and the patriotism that the people got now," says SSGT. Dan Gersch.

Connecticut Army Veteran Dan Gersch has been providing an escort for the flag since early this morning.

He'll stay with it until it reaches New York City tomorrow.

Along the way, he says he is seeing the best of the American spirit.

This evening, Walter Ostrinski is awaiting his turn to run.

"This is our part to really show that we care.  We care about America.  We care about our freedom.  So this is what little bit we can do. So we're all pulling together," says Ostrinski.

Kevin Monaghin came all the way to East Haven from his home in Tolland to cheer on the runners.

"It is pretty cool."

At first, Kevin says he just wanted to see the flag and cheer on the runners.

But, now the flag is almost here.

"And just a minute ago I asked my mom if I could run alongside with the flaggers and she said I could," says Kevin.

Flanked by police cars and firetrucks the flag passed by right on schedule..

The flag left as quickly as it came, but leaving the dozens who came to see it with one very strong feeling.
 
"Patriotism.  Of course, it's good to see everybody pulling together and doing something good for the country.  It's a great thing," says Russell Hixson.

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You can follow their progress through Connecticut and across the country on the web at http://www.flagrun2001.org/