Flag Relay Celebrates America’s 55th Anniversary

Two engaged influencers have kicked off a campaign to commemorate America’s 55th anniversary by passing the American flag from the Pacific Ocean to the National Mall.

On a night this week, Joe Nail, a member of the Army National Guard and a graduate student at Stanford, shared his motivations for organizing the relay. He spoke to a local outlet from a pizza shop in Tonopah, Nevada. “Even though there are many factors that might divide us, America is a unique place,” Nail expressed. “When we come together, we can achieve amazing things. We committed to this relay to remind everyone of that.”

Nail originally proposed the idea to his partner, Wyatt Moss, after the pair met while running marathons across all 50 states. Instead of having just a small team involved, they thought it would be better to include participants from all over the country.

The initiative, which kicked off on Flag Day, started with just two people but has since expanded to a dedicated crew of 17 managing logistics, along with a team of runners ready to join in as the group nears the nation’s capital.

Nail mentioned that, beyond the help they’re receiving from supportive Americans, he and his crew are putting their own funds into the project. This includes setting up a live tracker to keep everyone updated and purchasing Starlink to maintain connectivity, especially in remote areas. “It feels a bit like knowing people at Starlink… I think Elon would appreciate what we’re doing,” Nail joked, mentioning a donation page they’ve set up.

He noted that the kindness shown to them along their route reinforces the spirit of the project. While the relay aims to be a nonpartisan celebration, Nail and Moss’s Christian values significantly influence their work, and he’s been touched by acts of generosity, such as receiving showers, gas donations, and even pizza from strangers.

Nail pointed out that participation isn’t limited to flag runners. “Not everyone is keen on running through the desert in extreme heat with a flag,” he said about his experience in Nevada, “But anyone can walk or run a mile to honor those who served our country.”

Their efforts also extend to local communities, having been recognized during San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors games. They are set to collaborate with the Great American State Fair and the White House’s Freedom 250 Initiative, planning a ceremonial finish in the National Mall’s security area on July 4 around 11:30 a.m.

Interestingly, they’ve found themselves ahead of schedule, with over 16% of the route completed—more than 60 hours sooner than anticipated, at an average speed of 9.12 mph.

Nail attributed their progress to the high caliber of runners involved and noted that there’s still plenty of room for non-runners to join in this patriotic effort. “People often discuss America in terms of decline and various challenges. While we do face obstacles, this country remains exceptional. We hope to highlight the best of America to inspire unity and participation,” he explained.

An example of community support came from crew member Michael Christenson, who shared a story about a lack of local volunteers in Yosemite. He and his team were working through intense heat when Chris Collins showed up, tracking them down and bringing them pizza after driving 15 miles in the scorching weather.

Nail’s primary aim is to get the flag safely to Washington and to spark inspiration among Americans as they witness the journey unfold over the next few weeks, encouraging others to think of ways to celebrate national milestones.