Diary entry from American Airlines Captain Bert Booth, 767, LGA:

Got up at 7 AM to go to a local road race to spread the word about the Flagrun. Finally left my house at 1:30 after making numerous phone calls to local runners, police officials, the county executive, and local print and broadcast media.

Crested a hill 2 miles south of the PA border and here comes Old Glory. Couldn't miss it with the flashing lights on the lead patrol car. If you happened to miss that the trailing fire truck and ambulance from the Rising Sun Volunteer Fire Department would have gotten your attention. About 10 runners, from young to middle aged, passing the flag to each other as they worked their way south. I joined the trailing caravan and got to met Brian Beach, MD state coordinator, after two days of numerous phone calls.

Shortly afterwards I became the support RV driver. That would be my home for the next 16 hours. It was an a thrilling day and night. Watching numerous runners step forward to carry the flag across our state, and ultimately our country, was very rewarding.

Some special moments for me:

Watching about 20 kids from my county carrying the flag up and down our rolling hills.

Carrying the flag myself to where my wife and two daughters waited with about 20-30 county residents. Including two wives of former Squadron mates who are currently on active duty in Kuwait.

Watching several ultra marathoners click off 8 minute miles up and down hills to get us back on the time line (thanks, Phil, Jeff, Bob and Bill). Watching Darlene run with them while she could. Finding out later that she couldn't run with them as much as she had hoped because she had knee surgery 6 weeks prior! All of this in the dark, with fairly heavy rain.

Watching two young men grab the flag in Perry Hall, MD. Shortly thereafter battle 30 MPH gusts and heavy rain with Ron as they ran south. Naval Academy Midshipman, they had to leave after 1:30 to get back to the Academy. Fine young men, what this country needs, and has always produced.

Eleven PM at night, pouring rain, watching an over 70 year old grandmother pat her heart and say "We're so proud." Little did she know she was cheering on two young men destined to be part of America's sword in the next year.

Stopping at a shopping plaza and have a father and son business team open their shop so we could use their facilities. "If you're with the people running the flag, my place is open for all of you." Nice Arab-Americans trying to make it the USA. They have pride in this country too.

Eight soldiers by the side of the road in Baltimore City. Where'd they come from? Thanks for the encouragement.

State Police officer escorting us asking how to make donations.

College student meeting us at 1AM. He'd just heard about it on the news. Couldn't get his friends to join us. "They just don't understand." I'll give them some slack since I'm not sure I'd get out of bed at 1 AM, to go running in the rain. I'd think it was some college prank. Thanks for coming out.

The people who came out at 3, 4, and 5 AM to help move the flag south. And I was worried about the support we'd get during the night! Ten year old kids running with their parents at 4 AM.

Seventeen people running the last miles into DCA. One father with his 5-6 year old son of his back. Another with a severly twisted ankle. With 1/4 mile to go he rufused to stop.

After 25 hours I made it home. Tired, but thrilled.

Bert