I learned about the Flag Run through an ALPA email and it appeared to be included as an after thought but it caught my attention. We, like millions of Americans, had already contributed to the Red Cross and then sat back and watched the pain of the country via the mass media, but that gift just didn't feel like enough for me. I wanted to do more.

After I visited your web site I immediately began to see where I could fit in. Anxiously I looked to see when the flag would be arriving in Mesa, AZ where I had family to support me. I began planning on how to make it happen. First, I thought, I must bid my November schedule to be off on the 8th. Normally we get our next month's schedules by the 10th of the previous month but for November, due to the tragedy, things were going to be delayed and that only added to the anxiety. Finally, on the 21st I knew I could make it. My trip to Hong Kong would get back into San Francisco at 9 am on the 7th and I could get to Phoenix on the 11am flight. Great!

Now I must make sure my Dad and Stepmother can accommodate me. One phone call and everything is set.

I'm now on my trip to Hong Kong and I mention the run to several people and am surprised no one has heard of it. This becomes a common theme in the next few days as I educate everyone about your web site and the higher reasoning for the run.

I get back from Hong Kong and on to Phoenix with no problems but after eating dinner with my family I realize I'm running on fumes with only about 3 hours sleep in the past 28 so I bid them good night. An hour later I'm awake with the excitement of the event. I've promised Teresa, the AZ East coordinator, that I would do at least 5 miles and would be able to stretch to 10 if they really needed me. The only thing I was worried about was how the carrying of the flag would affect my running. I decided to log onto the web site and to my amazement there were only about 6 people signed up for the entire 15.3 mile leg of Mesa's #10 leg. Oh no, I thought, can I do it? Another reason not to get any more sleep.

The appointed time arrives and we are off to find the Reporting Station for #10 and then it all hits me. Look at all these runners. It was then very clear to me that the web site was unable to keep up with all the volunteers that were pouring into this wonderful effort. I met pilots and flight attendants from other airlines as well as my own. But most surprising was the overwhelming number of people from all walks of life that came out at 2 am on a morning that they must still go to work. They were there to do there part just as I was.

There were actually two flags, one the American flag and the other a pole of black ribbons with the names of our fallen heros. I can't tell you how emotional that was to me and those participating in the event.

To make this very long story a little shorter I want to finish by saying that I was able to complete the entire 15.3 miles. It was not because I'm in shape to run that far but due entirely to the energy of those wonderful volunteers around me, the American Flag and what it represents since September 11th and most importantly the Banner representing our fallen heros.

Thanks for giving me a way to express myself through this wonderful event.

Sincerely,
Rick L Himrich
United Airlines

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