When we began to pursue this dream of Mike Burr's, our objective was to succeed in taking the US Flag from Boston to Los Angeles. We now see the manner in which the runners and the nation have embraced this event and we are in awe. After the first few days of admittedly "obsessive" custodial guilt over the operation, we have come to the conclusion that our State Coordinators are more than ready for the task and are greeting the run with a competency that we cannot hope to improve.

Now that we recognize this sea-change in the operation, we soberly understand the responsibility that we, as the ones who started this, have to those who are feeling such emotion as they carry our nation's banner across the country. We also feel a duty to the family members and children who we have designated as beneficiaries to the designated donations.

Unfortunately, donations have not matched our expectations. This is probably due to the fact that we have not set a donation goal and have downplayed the "money" aspect of the event. While we still wish to emphasize that our original goal remains unchanged (we just want to honor our fallen peers and demonstrate national pride and resolve), we realize that by not emphasizing donations, the very people who are looking to us for support -- the families of those lost in the tragedies--may well be disappointed.

Therefore, we are today announcing that we have set a goal of $1,000,000 in donations after expenses. To raise this amount of money in a relatively short time, we are calling on our participating runners, airline coworkers, military volunteers and other involved folks, to help. In keeping with the grassroots theme of this effort, we are asking everyone involved with either the industry or the run to go to the web site and make a donation. Whether it is $5 or $500, if we all work together, we can ensure that, when we stand on the Pacific Coast with the flag, we will also be able to give the families of the crews, emergency workers, military, and government employees lost on Sept. 11 a significant gift that will help them face an uncertain future.

We would like to suggest that every runner who runs the race collect pledges and sponsorship for the miles that they plan to run.

We would also like the individual state coordinators work with United Airlines Flight Attendant Mary Fagerberg, (donations@flagrun2001.org,) to contact sponsors, corporations and local and state politicians to generate corporate sponsorship of our event or encourage local leaders and businesses to hold fund-raisers to then present to the flag team as they approach the city. This would include major sports teams, corporations with an airline connection or military boosters. In particular, we would like to encourage the local coordinators to call upon the Chambers of Commerce in each town along the route for support.

We are very proud and humbled by the actions of you all as you make our original dream a reality and enhance its significance beyond our wildest dreams.

Sincerely,

Your national team.

Mike Burr, Todd Wissing, Frank LaCorte, Mark Hunnibell, Gary Rivenson, Gene & Debi Schrader, Tom D'Agostino, Mary Fagerberg.