It’s great what you’re doing. I carry two 3X5 flags in my runs. I have two heroes on my bib that died in Iraq. Their pictures give my inspiration. I know the families which makes it an honor to do that little thing for them.

One flag for each mile is an awesome task. I know you will do it. Judy Alpert here in Irvine CA keeps us up to date on your daily blogs.

Keep up the good work

Sincerely
Bob Kohler aka flag man

Happy Trails, Jeff

As they watch from Heaven High
They have joined hands
The hands of Brothers in Arms
That will be United
From shore to ocean shore
With a Smile as Their Flag is placed
In Silent Tribute
And a sharp Salute
I believe
They are watching over their Brother in Arms

Yari touched the lives of the Harbor Day School , Corona del Mar, CA, community through his close friendship with our alumnus SPC James Strong, my fifth grade student in ’83! James, a husband and dad to two little girls when he put his career on hold to serve, wrote that Yari had a real gentle spirit, was one of the finest guys he ever knew and was a real gentleman. We know they were like brothers, having been buddies and roommates from boot camp, to advanced training, the posting to Hawaii and ultimately to FOB Hawija, Iraq.

Both were keen, talented soccer players and James described hilarious games with their usually bare footed Iraqi Special Forces friends on the dirt hard desert. Both guys were prepared to donate their shoes to those guys!

When HDS had a school wide project Operation Kids Care to send 100 care packages to D company,arrived on the day after Thanksgiving 2006 , when spirits were a bit low, there were the two guys hamming it up with Surfing magazine etc to send pictures back to school to show how much the support of kids meant.

A week late, James, overwhelmed with grief, carried his buddy draped in the American flag, to the waiting helicopter, loyal to the end, as Yari would have been for him.

Yari, with his winning smile, great sense of humor and positive attitude to life was a true hero and one of Uncle Sam’s finest. May his sacrifice never be forgotten!

Thank you Mike for writing the stories and sharing them through your sensitive and perceptive blog entries, as well as for raising funds for such a necessary and worthwhile cause and for opening our eyes to the goodness of ordinary folk of great stature along your route who exemplify the best of our Nation’s values.
God bless you all!
Judy
Immigrant from England, September 1, 1964, proud citizen since January 16, 1976 and passionate teacher of American History, albeit with an English accent, to eager fifth graders for forty years!