Fellow American:

Saturday, November 3rd will always be a day that I for one will never forget. As a retired USAF Flight Engineer, I've seen and done quite a bit. This day though, is a day that one never forgets due to its human, social, and personal impact.

I believe it was Sunday, October 14, that I made my initial contact with the website and introduction with Dee. I had signed up and then asked my son, Andy, did he want to go for a run. From then on, I was going to Austin from Albuquerque and back (new granddaughter) and could not really commit to any extra duties outside of running. Then I volunteered to drive after the run. And now, the rest of the story.

It was a very emotional day, but yet very special. There were many, many runners from the ABQ area. From our most normal ordinary fellow citizens to folks like myself (sometimes not normal) which came from the aviation world, retired military flyers, airline pilots, airline representative, etc. The turnout throughout the route was magnifying to say the least. It was and is an event that one can not describe. One had to be involved to really grasp the magnitude of the emotions present between us participants conveyed to those true Americans along the route and vise-a-versa. To all the beautiful people that lined the streets to support us was and is another story. The tears in their eyes (and ours), the standing at attention, the saluting of the flags, the donations of money, to their joy in knowing that this can only happen in the United States with ordinary citizens taking time out of their lives to involved themselves in something like this just made their day and possibly their lives. From letting those little children hold and touch the flag to those truly magnificent folks in their wheel chairs that we stopped for, so that they can feel and enjoy the energy was an amazing site. One may wonder if ABQ had ever experienced something like this. The route around Old Town before heading to the Civic Center was also electrifying as most if not all of the shop goers, shop owners, tourist and visitors, and just plain people came out of nowhere to cheer us on. (The Flagrun's massage therapist, Leeanne Holgan, who had flown in from NYC, who was riding with myself and fellow runner and driver Raye Ghahate was so touched that she hollered out that she had come from NY to support the Flag. That brought out an outstanding round of applause and thanks from the special crowd).

On our way to the Civic Center, the family of Al Marchand, (Killed retired Alamogordo Police Lt. flying as Cabin Crewmember on one of the aircrafts) met the Flag. Two of Albuquerque's finest fire trucks had been parked at opposite ends with an American Flag suspended made for a patriotic entrance into the Civic Center where the Honorable Heather Wilson, a representative of Mayor Baca, and other Dignitaries were present for a brief ceremony. After the Civic Center Ceremonies, we were blessed and before we started our trek towards Isleta Casino, we were also surprise with people (whom were attending a coat, tie, and gown function at the Convention Center) lined up and sang God Bless America to us.

On our way to Isleta Casino, one would have only wondered if there were any police protecting the towns around the route as we were inundated with at least over a dozen police vehicles from both sides and a fire truck behind us. Isleta was supremely kind in that they had beverages, cookies, and pastries waiting for us along with patrons who some how found out we were coming. At almost 10PM, here we are approaching Isleta Casino and it seems like the whole world is lined up cheering the procession on. Again, words cannot describe such feelings from both sides.

As a final note: I'd like to thank Dee for giving me and my son the opportunity to be a part of this, most memorable day. I'd like to also say a special thanks to all of the runners and drivers that made not just my day but everyone in ABQ's day special. I'd also like to say a special thank you to Leeanne Holgan and Raye Ghahate, two very special people who made my day even more special and meaningful with their kindness, warmness, openness, and personality.

May God continue to Bless our country, our government, what and why we live here, our military, our runners and supporters, and all throughout the world.

Sincerely,
Andres (Andy) Rodriguez Jr.
USAF, Ret.

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