Drymax Sports: Project America Run & Observing Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and I think the perfect day to talk about Mike Ehredt and Project America Run. I met Mike last July in Death Valley just before the start of the Badwater Ultramarathon. He made the impression of being a quite unassuming man yet serious and passionate about his upcoming mission. Mike, an Army Veteran and retired Postal Clerk was planning a trans American run from Astoria, OR to Rockland, ME with 4,514 American Flags with the names those brave men and women who have given their lives in our nation's service in Iraq.

On May 1, Ehredt began his epic journey and has completed approximately 800 miles. Yesterday, my brother John and sister in law Christen were able to catch up with Mike as he was working his way by their home in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley in Montana. They were both overwhelmed with pride and emotion after visiting with Mike and watching his repeated ritual of honoring the fallen.

About their experience my brother wrote the following to me:

"Christen and I just had the pleasure or meeting Mike Ehredt on the road during his 4,500+ mile run across the nation. Today he expects to reach Lost Trail Pass at the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley here in Western Montana. At each mile he is placing an American flag with the name, rank and hometown of a fallen soldier lost in the Iraqi theatre. The yellow ribbon below the flag also has the chronological number in which the soldier died. Mike is placing them in reverse order.

We've been following Mike on his website as he uses a satellite locating device giving almost instant locations as he traverses the country.

We found Mike to be a humble and soft-spoken individual who speaks proudly of his service in the armed forces. Seemingly benign watching him run, a persona is suddenly filled with emotions when, every mile he stops, plants a road-side flag, stands and salutes that flag, then runs another mile to repeat the process.

This is the best way we as a family could have expected to spend our Memorial Day. We are proud of our county and are blessed to have people such as Mike in our midst to remind us of those who have given their life so that we can maintain our way of life. " - John & Christen MacGillivray, Victor, Montana

On this day when we celebrate life and liberty we should take some time to remember how freedoms were given to us through those willing to sacrifice everything to deliver it. We thank all of the men and women of the armed forces who defend us every day.

If you have a spare minute check out Mike's Project America Run: http://www.projectamericarun.com/ . You can track him in almost real time on the "Where's Mike" link. You can also see his planned route and even donate to support the journey. If he is coming through your town over the next few months go out and say hello and possibly offer him a place to lay his weary head for the night.