Hi! My name is Anne Wilke. I first heard of the flagrun on CNN in early October - instantly I knew I had to get involved...I offered to be a helper, (and hopefully was so) to Kathy Connolly of the Western AZ leg of the flagrun...I was thrilled when she called! This gal has incredible energy and determination, most especially a true compassion of heart. She gave the flagrun ALL and then MORE!! Kathy had the western portion of the state coordinated and tied down tight - she knew ALL the runners and volunteers names - and there were MANY!! I don't know HOW she does it, there was SO much going on and all at the same time - as my head spun in circles - she just tied it all up...Thanks Kathy for all your hard work...

A cross country runner years back - when 13 miles a day was just a warm up - I figured on ressurecting the 'glory days' and start training at the High School track like a crazy person every day, even twice a day and get ready for the run. Week 3 into training and 2 days before the Phoenix to Parker run, I developed tendonitus in both knees and a crushed spirit. But I couldn't give up - you see, the flagrun had become a personal mission. I currently live in Gilbert AZ but was born and raised in NJ with the NYC skyline as our 'backyard view'.Needless to say, my family & friends (some of which work and live in NYC) were directly affected by the tragic events of 9/11.

I flew home on UNITED as soon as we were flying again and witnessed the gaping hole in the skyline, the billowing smoke, the smells, the soot, the constant humm of the F16's flying over the east skies, the presence of military everywhere - home just wasn't 'home' anymore...My husband and I attended the funeral for my father-in-law who we believe had a heart attack as the events in NYC unfolded..It was then that I learned that John Skala, a NY/NJ Port Authority Policeman - a friend of our family, was missing at the WTC. He ran to the scene - being a licensed paramedic as well, he grabbed his kit and ran to the sight where he and his fellow officers tried to help out...John spotted an injured person somewhere just inside the building, he disregarded the shouts from others telling him not to enter - as he approached the injured person, the building imploded...He has not yet been found...For this young hero - I HAD to be part of the flagrun - my mission - in his honor...For others like John Skala - is why so many folks signed up to run - their mission as well...

I brought his picture along, with wounded knees and not able to run, I asked Sargeant Sean Connolly to wear John's memory as he ran thru Phoenix...He gladly took it. Seeing John's spirit carried upon Seans chest, touched my heart that morning and for the rest of my life with emotion and gratitude that are undescribable. Thank you Thank you Sean ...

I jumped ahead here for a moment - back to the start of the run:

Kathy and I watched together in the dark wee hours of the morning as the flag was brought over the Mill Avenue Bridge in Tempe - all we could say was "awesome" as chills ran up and down our arms. We hopped onto the RV in Phoenix after a short prayer at the State Capitol.

I drove the RV later on in the journey from around the Litchfield area to Parker (I don't know HOW many hundred of miles that is -@ 6 MPH).Not ONCE did the trip become 'ordinary' - with 'Old Glory' in constant view - it remained 'awesome'...We met some of the most inspiring and dedicated people - Mike, Mike, Mike, Chris, Ken, Sharon, Patty, 'the boys', and SO SO many others. It's funny, we never met before - but we shared with each other a common goal, a common mission - a kindred spirit . We became instant friends. The police departments from every town/county along the way made sure we were covered with an escort and backup - Sargeant Palmer, Officers Larry, Dave, Mike - thank you so very much for your support. I will never forget any one person I met those 2 days. Also in my heart forever are those folks who came out of their homes in the middle of the night to wave, cry, clap, sing the National Anthem and cheer us on, some baked cookies, gave us drinks, others made sacks full of sandwiches for us to take along. It was hard to keep an eye dry as we passed a small group of veterans lined up along a lonely dusty desert roadway with their hands on their hearts...How about the truck driver who saluted the flag as it passed him by - his face full of emotion and pride - one I'll never forget..How about the children who greeted us in the middle of the night in their pajamas as we made our way thru their tiny desert town..How about Glen and Mark - 2 pilots who live somewhere in Aguila, who rode out to meet us - again late at night - saying, "We're not runners, but how can we help?" - and help they did - they stayed with us for MANY hours acting as a chase vehicle and later refueling us with hot coffee and the BEST fried egg sandwiches in the world! Thank you guys! You were sent angels!

By the time we approached Parker, we were tired,hurting, in need of LONG HOT showers, - one would think we would be eager to get home, but just the opposite feeling started brewing within us..Our leg of the journey was coming to an end..It was hard and extremely emotional to hand the flag over to the fresh new CA runners at the border. Mike tried to choke down the emotions (rather unsuccessfully ). I remember his final words as he fought to hand the flag over, he said, "CA, all I ask is that you hold this flag high - high above all others" - he then reluctantly handed it to the CA runner who acknowleged Mike with a nod and said "We will" and then they were off..I stood on the brige over the Colorado River and watched as the flag made it way flying high over the sandy hills of eastern CA. and then out of sight...I was STILL in awe...

Before ending, I would like to thank my co-workers for their support - it meant the world to me when I saw you all standing there at the Capitol waiting to greet us...Paul Huston (the boss) who supported me and this event from the very start (AND gave me the time off) - to Lynn Schmid - my dear friend who joined up in Wickenburg late Thursday night to ride shotgun with me (ALL NIGHT LONGGG) and provide water and 'comic relief' to the weary runners - Lynn, what can I say - thank you just isn't enough...

Thank you Mike Burr for birthing the flagrun, thus giving me and countless others an opportunity not only to be a part of history -but also the opportunity to make new friends, for providing another step taken in my ladder toward healing, thank you for the chance to witness the love and compassion that showed itself in all the people involved in the run including those who were involved by greeting us along the streets and following the website.

Patriotism is alive and well throughout this country.. May God bless and keep our troops overseas and within our borders, may He guard the pilots and crews of our nations airlines, may He hold close to Himself the hearts of the friends and family of the victims of 9/11...

May God continue to Bless the USA...

I'll miss you all,
Anne Wilke
AZ West

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