I want to try to express to all those that will listen the patriotism that was shown during the AAmerican United Flag Run Across America. The story is much more than just the flag being carried across from Boston to Los Angeles. It is more than a commemorative of a tragedy, although it is that too. I will try to tell you.

The Farwell Girls Track Team ended the run through Texas on November 1. The pride that I saw in their faces was worth every hour of time spent by all the "grass root" volunteers across the Texas Panhandle, and our USA. There were about 20 of them that ran Our Flag into New Mexico to pass Our Flag on to the New Mexico volunteers. They ran with a pride in their step, perfect lock step, in formation, carrying that flag and with it, the hearts of those of us that watched. That pride could not be forced or faked, folks it was coursing through their veins with every step they took. They had just run about 8 miles, a relay team carrying with them a flag and a burning hope for our country. Those girls were true Patriots, representing many, many true Patriots from Boston to Los Angeles.

There were and are many wonderful citizens across this great country. In the Panhandle of Texas, the story I know, is hope and heart stopping patriotism shown by our people. There was a pilot (Phil) from American Airlines (a volunteer) that brought his motor home from Dallas and began to organize the grass root effort here in the Panhandle. He was here for almost a week. There are so many patriots, they are all volunteers, asking to help, not being asked.

Runners ask to run all hours of the night, not just one but many. Many people volunteered to coordinate the efforts and worked in support of those runners. Driving their own vehicles, to carry runners from base camps to where they were to run. Our Flag is running 24 hours a day. I know that many of these volunteer coordinators worked for 5 to 6 days, 16 hours a day. As the time came for the flag to be in the Panhandle, many worked up to 50 or 60 hours without sleep, only they know. Hours and hours were spent in planning. Many, many more hours on the telephones talking and coordinating the volunteers. Thousands of dollars spent by volunteers out of their own pockets. Businesses and Corporations allowing their employees paid time off to work or run. Out of the Hereford base camp a few examples. West Texas A & M Track teams, men and women, ran from Umbarger to Hereford. Mona, 2 of her friends, volunteered to run with them because she wanted to run and 5:45 in the morning worked for her. She told me that they were the nicest and most courteous men to her. They could have run away from her, but didn't and shared the carrying of the flag. The VFW volunteers brought flags, and stayed all day. The American Red Cross came and worked all day.

The Hereford High School Band met in the park and played several songs for the gathering, ending in the Star Spangled Banner. After leaving, Hereford High School's Junior Marine ROTC ran in formation, led by Ken, shouting "Jody" calls for miles along US 60. Hereford Track, girls and boys, team ran. Dyess Air Force Base sent 2 C-130's to fly over the runners after they left Hereford. No one but the runners and volunteer support team saw them: it was for them.

The Air Force ROTC Drill Team came from Texas Tech and ran with Hereford High School teams. They had to volunteer 2 times as they got lost in the shuffle by the volunteer coordinator. They Persevered.

Friona's track team took over and ran for about 7 miles. Awed, I watched as one girl, tired and thirsty, climbed aboard the RV, rested some, drank water and back out on the road to run some more. Right now, I am not sure whether she was from Friona or Hereford. It doesn't matter because there were many just like her.

The support of the towns from the spectators was very moving to all of the entourage. In Friona there was about 2000 lining the side of the road, cheering and clapping as they went past. At a grade school, students and parents were 5 deep. Many unique families along the whole route were out to clap and applaud the symbol of our country.

Bovina High School Students turned out to run, in large numbers. I saw students that couldn't keep up with the track team, but they ran as far as they could, rested, jumped in a van or car, caught up and did it again. They wouldn't give up. Their principal was just as excited and was working just as hard as the kids to "get it done."

The Boys Ranch Team came and met the group in Bovina to run their 7 miles. The guys were very motivated to run and you could see the pride they had for their team. Pretty fast too.

Two volunteers were Ham Radio Operators, without them we would have been lost. Chris would get a message, or give a message, by driving along in the grass and yelling out the window to the coordinators following the runners. Cell phones didn't work the last 20 miles, no coverage. That volunteer drove in from Lubbock to help, all day. Didn't know a single person, just wanted to help. One volunteer drove along, got ahead of the runners and threw bottles of water to the runners as they ran past. I don't know who he was. Many major corporations and businesses donated vans and drivers, water, athletic drinks, bananas, fruit and food. It doesn't seem fair to mention their names. It doesn't matter. I can not leave out the Sheriffs of the counties, local police, and the Texas Highway Patrol; they ran interference for the group as we went down US 60.

This morning, at 7:00 AM, that same Flag crossed over into Arizona. The same group of Patriots, different shift. This effort is truly grass root. Those pilots in Boston that started this had no idea who any of these people would be; I don't know those pilots' names either. It doesn't matter.

I will bet that at 1:32 PM on November 11, this same flag will arrive at LAX. It will continue to Dockweiler Beach to be in place at 2:00 PM. I know that some dignitary in California will issue their proclamation. I will also bet that a great many of the people in Arizona and California that will volunteer don't know now that they will be a part of this patriotic demonstration. To Phil, Moses, Jack, Ken, John, Joby, Cokey, Jennifer, Earl, Shorty, Dan, Liz, Mona, Michael, James, Raymond, Eric, Kyle, Patty, Kenneth, Steve, Rick, Christine, (only a start of those that contributed from the Panhandle). All PATRIOTS.

THANKS

Bud Cochran, Capt.
United Airlines, Retired
Hereford, TX Coordinator

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