Americans United Flag Across America: Texas Coordinator's Diary

Texas Home Texas Coordinator's Diary
Sunday, 4 November 2001

Dear Fellow Texans,

Throughout the past days, I have tried to find the right words to compose a “diary entry” of what Flag Run Across America, and more specifically, what the experience of Flag Run through Texas, has been like for my fellow Texas coordinators and me.

After many re-writes, I am left with the mental pictures of the sheer love that pounded pavement across our great state. Words alone fail to give such inspiration a fitting description. It is impossible to convey the emotion of seeing thousands of patriotic Texans in one long, one very grand run alongside Old Glory. Our experience as individuals is as personal as it is public—and for that these words can pay only humble tribute.

From the start, “Team Texas” has been united in one brotherhood to serve each other, and to serve the flag. At the outset we were strangers—ten Texans who knew only each other’s email addresses. But we finish this run as family. Our indelible ties and the broader dedication to the values we’ve shared with one another throughout the past 3 weeks transcend our own lives. We relied on each other to complete a memorial for our friends, our lost crewmembers, and the thousands of loved ones who still grieve today. When we needed you, the wonderful citizens of this proud state, you were there: letters, calls, runners, logistical help, and even prayers. And now it is our turn to THANK YOU, the state of Texas, for making our vision come true. Together, we all became “Team Texas.”

As I write to you, a bouquet has just arrived at my front door with white daisies and an American flag in the centerpiece—another Texan expressing thanks. So as I look out on another blue-sky San Antone day, I dedicate the enclosed inscription to you, our runners and supporters—OUR Team Texas:

“Team Texas, Congrats on your immense success with the flag run! We’re proud of you! We thank you for your selflessness and dedication! Take care, God Bless, and Fly Safe!”

Tune into a good country station and take a look at your fellow Texans on the website pictures (www.flagrun2001.org/tx.html). Let the “diary” words of your fellow runners, your fellow flag supporters, speak to your heart. As we have from the start, we thank you for making the journey.

Endless miles, endless thanks,

Laura Joyce-Hubbard

Bottom-of-our-boot-thanks to the hundreds of volunteers that stand behind each one of our names, as a part of Team Texas:

Cindy Shaw. wakely4411@hotmail.com: Flight Attendant, American Airlines.
Texas webmaster: organized ALL email. Organized runners & running clubs along route.
Teri Schwartz. terischwartz@yahoo.com: Pilot, American Airlines.
Media, VFW liaison, Military unit liaison, Cowboy VIPs, Texas sponsors.
All of the in-between.
Jim Dees. jedees@home.com: Pilot, American Airlines.
East Texas coordinator: responsible for ALL of Waskom to Dallas, Texas.
Mike Watson. littany@dellepro.com: Pilot, American Airlines.
Dallas Coordinator. That would be ALL of Dallas. Liaison to Luccioni family.
Neil Raaz. razzer301@aol.com: Pilot, American Airlines.
North Texas Coordinator: responsible for ALL from Dallas to Oklahoma border.
Phil Conroy. COMBAT_SIX@worldnet.att.net: Pilot, American Airlines.
On a wing and many prayers: ALL of the Panhandle of Texas.
Dan Williams. aadw@home.com: Entire route and timing throughout ALL of Texas.
Vision for AA Center, TX Stadium, and DFW airport.
Dave Buffington. dave.buffington@gte.net: Pilot, American Airlines.
Founder’s Speech. Tribute to ALL our fallen crewmembers at Founder’s Plaza.
Governor’s liaison, Texas sponsors.
Bob Bomar. rebomar@home.com: Pilot, American Airlines.
Safety of ALL runners: coordinated police escort throughout entire state.
Laura Joyce-Hubbard celticflyer@cs.com: Pilot, American Airlines.
My lamppost in the dark nights of planning this run:
The spirit of Captain John Ogonowski, American Airlines Flt 11