I was greatly honored that Dee asked me to receive the flag from Congresswoman Heather Wilson during the ceremonies at the Civic Plaza in Albuquerque and start the next leg out of town. As I was standing on the platform I whispered to the congresswoman, "I was born in New Mexico just blocks from here in the old Presbyterian hospital exactly 59 years ago and have spent most of my life in this marvelous state, but I have never been prouder to be a New Mexican than I have been this week."

I suppose airline captains (also retired Naval Aviators) aren't suppose to cry, but when I first saw the flag coming toward me in the dawn of a beautiful New Mexico sunrise at Fort Sumner, I cried. When I witnessed men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds lining the highway between Fort Sumner and Vaughn, I cried. When I listened to the school children in Vaughn say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in the middle of the highway, I cried. When I met the young children from my cousin's track team and watched them run with the recruits from the Albuquerque Fire Department, I cried. And, finally, when I met Becky Marchand and listened to her wonderful message, I cried a lot.

I hope John Wayne isn't too ashamed of me.

David Mason
Captain -- American Airlines
Albuquerque, New Mexico

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