I met a woman a few years ago who is passionate about life, about saving lives, especially involved in educating children about drowning prevention and self-rescue. She is a spirit who lightens dark places, encourages when the chips are down and has abundant energy of doing good on behalf of the human capacity of loving outwards to those in need. To me she is one of two remarkable women I met working the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. I am not publishing her full name out of respect for her privacy, nor have I asked for her permission to print this letter she sent me. When the box arrived at my home and I saw her name on the return address I knew what was enclosed. A week prior she had attended a Phoenix Patriot Foundation fundraiser in support of the Never Quit Challenge and S01 Patrick Feeks Battle flag and his wife, Emily Feeks 9/11 flags were on display. We were there to celebrate Patrick’s life along with his fellow SEAL, S02 David Warsen. I was holding Patrick’s flag, and it was being handed off to friends of Pat’s who came to pay their respects. This Battle Flag personifies the life of our nation as well as this warrior, and all like him, past and present. His flag is a treasure of life and death, endurance, the love of a warrior, his wife, his family and bears his life wrapped amongst its rolled folds that Patrick used to wear during his missions. I sat down on my bed and called my youngest daughter to listen. I read the letter to her as the medallions and coins shined on top of blue tissue paper, their silver linings holding promise. I was deeply moved. It is no small thing for a person to be so moved to kind regards, actions or investments in others. The Never Quit Challenge is a moving memorial. Many have contributed personal items to be carried along the 1,600 mile route. You may go here to learn about the NQC: www.NeverQuitChallenge.com I want to share with you, that which touched my heart. Kindness is a virtue we should all encourage and enforce in our daily lives. God Bless you Mary.

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August 2013
‘St. Christopher patron of travelers pray for us, protect us in our travels….'
I met a woman a few years ago who is passionate about life, about saving lives, especially involved in
educating children about drowning prevention and self-rescue. She is a spirit who lightens dark places,
encourages when the chips are down and has abundant energy of doing good on behalf of the human
capacity of loving outwards to those in need. To me she is one of two remarkable women I met working
the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. I am not publishing her full name out of respect for her
privacy, nor have I asked for her permission to print this letter she sent me.
When the box arrived at my home and I saw her name on the return address I knew what was enclosed.
A week prior she had attended a Phoenix Patriot Foundation fundraiser in support of the Never Quit
Challenge and S01 Patrick Feeks Battle flag and his wife, Emily Feeks 9/11 flags were on display. We
were there to celebrate Patrick’s life along with his fellow SEAL, S02 David Warsen.
I was holding Patrick’s flag, and it was being handed off to friends of Pat’s who came to pay their
respects. This Battle Flag personifies the life of our nation as well as this warrior, and all like him, past
and present. His flag is a treasure of life and death, endurance, the love of a warrior, his wife, his family
and bears his life wrapped amongst its rolled folds that Patrick used to wear during his missions.
I sat down on my bed and called my youngest daughter to listen. I read the letter to her as the
medallions and coins shined on top of blue tissue paper, their silver linings holding promise. I was
deeply moved. It is no small thing for a person to be so moved to kind regards, actions or investments in
others. The Never Quit Challenge is a moving memorial. Many have contributed personal items to be
carried along the 1,600 mile route. You may go here to learn about the NQC:
www.NeverQuitChallenge.com
I want to share with you, that which touched my heart. Kindness is a virtue we should all encourage and
enforce in our daily lives. God Bless you Mary.

2. 2
9/11 Not Forgotten
Dear Shawn-
Thank you for inviting me to support the “Never Quit Challenge”; it was my pleasure to donate to this
event.
I am sending St. Christopher coins as a memento to know that many are praying for you and the
Challenge travelers.
I’ve asked my friends & family to add this event to their prayers-for good weather, safety, and a
successful journey.
Please know that I am a very grateful woman in awe of the courage and sacrifice of your teams. I was
just a working mom headed to my office on 9/11/2001 when I saw the smoke billowing from the WTC

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tower, and watched as the 2nd
plane hit-I was far away-across the bridge in New Jersey, but because the
day was crystal clear and I was in an open view-I can’t forget what I saw with my own eyes.
I know that life as I knew it changed in that moment-I knew that this was very bad-catastrophic….I
thought of Pearl Harbor….I prayed to God-out loud-“Please send your Legions of Angels.”
And so it was that ‘Legions of Angels’, rushed to New York City-the firefighters, & first responders & all
to Shanksville & the Pentagon & then to War.
The life changes because of 9-11 were major in my life-a new attitude (uninjured, safe), but so minor in
comparison to those lost that day, but my change so trivial to the families and those who willingly fight
for my safety.
So Shawn,
Thank you for leading in the Never Quit Challenge-know that many will follow your journey from afar,
remembering 9-11 and the Veterans who fought and those fighting still.
You and your teams are in my mind as the “Legions of Angels” –sent to protect me, my daughters, my
way of life & my future.
God Bless You All-
Mary
PS-Along with St. Christopher –here is my grandfather Harry’s medal & a St. Patrick (from Ireland) for the
flag’. I won’t forget seeing the flag and the way you hold it, a treasure.
Saint Christopher
Patron Saint of Travelers
Ask our Almighty and merciful God, who hast commissioned they angels to guide and protect us, to
command them to be our assiduous companions from our setting out until our return; to clothe us with
their invisible protection; to keep from us all dangers of collision, of fire, of explosion, of fall and bruises
and finally, having preserved us from all harm, to guide us safely home. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen