Day one: It started early, with scheduled interviews with CBS Early Show at 7:18 a.m. and the NBC Today Show. We got "the gang" up early and met with the crews in the parking lot of the Hilton-Logan Airport.

The Hilton has been just outstanding-they were the command center for the Critical Incident Response and could not have been more supportive or Mike did both interviews, with route coordinator Frank Lacorte providing details on the second segment. Two other national programs also expressed interest and we are working with them for ongoing coverage. Mike and Boston media representative F/O Jessie Brightman popped over to the city to do a live TV interview with the Mornings on 2 show in San Francisco-the destination city of UAL Flight 93. Captain Bob Garrett and UAL Flight Attendant Sara Dela Cruz also helped with local media and logistical support. (Sara was also working the unhappy issue of oncoming furloughs affecting the BOS crew base-she was incredibly giving to both causes.)

Captain Mark Hunnibell ("the man behind the curtain") continues to work his magic, both statistically and artistically, on the web site. Mark's efforts were the absolute key to pulling off this improbable organizational feat. He has a complex database that sorts the runners by area and desired segment-length. The web site adds more and more features, literally by the hour, that enhance the efficiency of this grand endeavor.

Meanwhile, Todd worked with the Governor's office staff and the hotel to coordinate the Kickoff Ceremony. The Marine Corps MTRTC in Devons, Mass. sent a Color Guard from the I&I Ordinance Contact Team One to present the colors for the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, which were led by Sgt. Dan Clark of the Mass. State Police.

The police also provided members of their Pipe and Drum Corps, while playing bagpipes during the ceremony. Todd made introductory comments and introduced Mike Burr, who explained why he wanted to do the run. Mike then introduced Mass. Governor Jane Swift, who also spoke (link to Governor Swift's comments), then presented the flag to Mike for the start of the run. After Sgt. Clark sang America the Beautiful, Todd blew the whistle and Mike started the run.

Along the way through Boston, the group of runners stopped to let a small group of small children carry the flag-this was typical the rest of the day and into the night. State Coordinator Sally Bush was meticulously monitoring each hand-off and route change as the team navigated the construction in Boston. People lined the route,cheering and giving us water, saying "God Bless America"; Fire Departments gave us patches for the collection and hung huge flags over the street on Hook and Ladder engines. We will never forget the many touching displays that support our basic understanding that America is rich with patriotic pride, tenacity and resolve in the face of adversity. When our freedom is threatened, we respond positively and energetically to protect our values and our way of life. Each person who beeps his horn, cheers as we pass or takes up the flag, as participant Jennifer Malloy of Amston, CT remarked, "makes a statement by going the distance, flag held high and proud".

Providence, at 9:15 p.m., turned out in force, and for hours afterward we were greeted by cheering crowds and even the Coventry Middle School Cross Country team ran for over six miles with the AAmericans United Team. RI State Coordinator Jim Haldeman added a new twist-using a U-Haul to disperse fresh runners-and the team did such a good job of pacing, adapting to every type of runner, that they crossed the CT state line at the very minute that was on the schedule.

Today elementary schools turned out everywhere to cheer us on, sing patriotic songs that their teachers have taught them and to touch the flag. Captain Frank LaCorte waded into the crowd at Flanders School in Old Lyme, CT to teach the children the value and the meaning of Old Glory, and how to show respect for THEIR flag. Jordan Siborg, a student at the school who is visually impaired, emotionally hugged Mike as he told her about our run and what he saw in front of him-all of her classmates clutching the flag and giving high-fives.

Most of the core team lives here. As knowledge of our quest spreads, we expect a huge welcome in New York-the big apple-the greatest city on earth! We are trying to get clearance into Ground Zero to observe a Moment of Prayer with Firefighters and Police runners. We hope to get clearance for our entourage through the Holland Tunnel as we had through the tunnels in Boston with police escort. We also hear that the two Governors of New York and New Jersey may meet at the end of the tunnel and physically pass the flag!

More as we near NY.

Todd

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