Dear Diary:

02 Nov 01: A few of us from the Masters Runners Unlimited, Albuquerque, NM, have arrived at Yeso, NM. Sunny, a slight breeze and very comfortable at 11:00 am. I (Olivia) will run the second leg of our 34 mile journey to Vaughn. As I stand on the road ready to receive the flag, I am awed at the runners approaching; our flag held high along with the New Mexico State Flag, to honor our fallen Americans on that terrible day 11 September 2001.

I have a Mercy Bracelet with Maria Pappalardo's name (UA # 175) engraved on the Sterling Silver which I purchased at a Christian bookstore in Albuquerque, NM. I prayed for her soul and for her family and friends she left behind. I look upward at this flag waving valiantly and with strength. I pray for the Military, the firemen and policemen who have given their lives both on 11 September and during their course of duty in their service to our America, for because of these people we have the quality of life we so enjoy today.

I am also running in honor of my brother Lt. Comdr. James A. Carlisle U.S. Navy Pilot (Ret). Jim, who now has ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease, a neuro muscular disorder), served his country, flying reconnaissance during Vietnam, taught Physics, Astronomy and Math at the Naval Academy and served on several other Aircraft Carriers during his Naval Career. He gave me the gift of running, encouragement in all I accomplished, critique when needed, and a genuine interest in all I attempted. I looked up at the flag while running and prayed for his recovery as well as other family members who are suffering, and for this glorious opportunity to honor those who died on 11 September and have died and suffered injury in service to America.

God blessed me to run 3.2 miles with my partner Peter who carried the New Mexico State Flag and about half way through our distance, we exchanged flags. God warmed me with His Spirit and Love as I prayed for all these people. I ran along with two others in our group at the end of our mileage as we approached Vaughn, with many of the townspeople cheering, 18 wheelers honking, fire engines, ambulances and police sounding their sirens to welcome us and send the new Vaughn runners on towards their distance in the New Mexico Leg of the Flag's journey across America.

04 Nov 01: I drove to the Very Large Array (VLA), just west of Socorro, NM to join other runners which included several American Airline Pilots, in a Night Owl Run beginning at 1150 PM along the roads leading into the VLA Radio Astronomy Antennae property. The runners approached on Rt. 60 from Socorro and handed off the flag to those who continued through the night on the surrounding roads.

As I left the warmth of the visitors center for my 0430 "leg"and stepped into the brisk moonlit night holding the New Mexico State Flag, I repeated my prayer. Accompanied by Dee Friesen on bicycle. We stopped to enjoy a moment of silence as I lifted another prayer for fallen patriots. We met another runner as he was returning from his hour's solo run through the crisp early morning air, exchanged flags and returned back towards the visitor's center. Again, I looked up at the flag, the moon shining through the waving symbol of all that America stands for and again prayed for Maria Pappalardo, her family, all the others who died on 11 September and for my brother Jim.

My eyes swelled and tears fell as I proudly ran into the night. I looked up at the flag and felt a strong sense of pride and privilege that I could join these runners and carry this flag. Although there were clouds drifting by, the stars shone brightly as they and the moon lighted our gentle run along the country road. The smell of sage lifted our spirits and as we heard the array of antennas searching through the night at the direction of the scientists research we continued our run. It was time to give our flags to the next pair of runners as the Night Owl Run continued by the VLA.

I wandered through the Visitor's center and studied the exhibits, then back to the tables laden with fruit, granola bars, juice and coffee provided by other American Airlines Pilots and Attendants. At daybreak we joined VLA employees for a run next to the antennas as they were aimed perpendicular to the ground. It was an awesome sight, the American Flag, the New Mexico State Flag, as we handed off the flags to a new group of runners who ran into the '...dawn's early light.' An incredible way to start a new day!

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