My husband, Greg and I arrived in Parker, AZ on 11/9 with the idea that the Flag might need a little more support in the emptiness of the California desert. This was one of the best decisions we've ever made.

As we lined up on the California side of the bridge, it was clear that Arizona wasn't ready to give up the Flag. We were charged to be strong, to hold the Flag higher than anything else, and to remember and honor our friends who were murdered on September 11th. Thanks, Arizona for a great transition!

Sven Davidson, our California Coordinator, presented the Flag to the tribal chief of the Mojave Indians, who carried it for 17 miles, finishing their leg with a prayer and blessing.

Meanwhile, the Desert Rats started coalescing. Fred (AAL) and Geri from Oceanside; a lean guy (sorry I don't remember your name!) who looked like he could run the entire way by himself; Lori & her brother Brian from New Mexico who'd run with the Flag there and had to come to California; Jim (UAL) and his buddy Neil from Benicia and Joe Mac (AAL) who ran a blistering pace for 17 miles all uphill in the dark; Greg & me from Redding; a couple of LA Hash House harriers, in the greatest flag print shorts & tops. Besides our assigned legs, we continued on to give support (and receive so much more)!

Highlights:

• Running with Sven's Marine buddies on Leg 5 -- while the sun set. What a brilliant sunset to run toward.
• And T-Bone, thanks for the helicopter fly-over the next day!
• Meeting Mumbles (UAL) & Debbie -- part of the National Top Team who may retire to sell t-shirts on sidewalks across America.
• In Yucca Valley/Morongo Valley -- the father and his daughters who traveled to several checkpoints to hold a flag & cheer for the Flag (see their photos on the California page).
• Flying down the hill on Leg 25 -- and being greeted at the handoff by a high school band from Yucca Valley playing the national anthem. They had passed us on the way to a band event, and pulled over at the bottom of the hill to lend support. Thanks!
• Running on a dirt road through windmill farms ... being asked what sounds we heard, and realizing I could only hear our heavy footsteps & heavy breathing!
• Handing off to a group of Raytheon employees from San Diego, each wearing a t-shirt with the photos & names of their coworkers who were on Flight 77.

We rejoined the Flag in Los Angeles, a reunion of the Desert Rats. While the "new" runners took over their segments, we were content to follow along in the back, creating a Pack. The pace was a lot slower now; we'd made up the time we were behind at the border.

Beyond words:

• Being cheered and photographed by the LAPD officers at LAX
• Receiving salutes -- and cheers -- and tears -- from flight crews as we ran through LAX
• Joining up with the families and walking the final mile. Hearing their words of thanks. Seeing their gratitude that their loved one's name was on a ribbon that was carried from Boston, and symbolically finished their journey to LAX.
• Honored that the Flag Across America was cited by the New York City Marathon tribute committee who inscribed all the names of the Flight Crews on a statue of Fred Lebow that was dedicated at this year's NYC Marathon.

What started as a 3.5 run evolved into a 3 day pilgrimage where we made new friends -- and new bond of AAmericans United.

Denise Boehle
Redding, CA

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