WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.—The flag’s colors hadn’t faded—even after weathering wind, rain, and sun on a 14,000-mile journey through all 50 states.
On July 28, more than two dozen riders rolled into the Navajo Nation’s capital and spiritual center in Window Rock to hand the flag to its next bearer.
The Nation of Patriots’ annual Patriot Tour was still unfolding, with riders on a 126-day mission to honor veterans and support those in need.
National and Regional Commander Anthony Caniglia said the cross-country relay began in Albert Lea, Minnesota, on May 16, carrying a single American flag.
The flag will travel through all 50 states, changing hands at each stop. It will return home in September after completing the 17-year tradition, he said.
“We’re doing just over 14,000 miles,” Caniglia told The Epoch Times.
“The flag represents all of our past, present, and fallen members of our armed forces. We have flag transfer ceremonies between flag bearers at each state location.”
The flag arrived in Window Rock around 8:45 a.m. after a stop in Gallup, New Mexico, where it was handed to one of the Arizona flag bearers.
Riders from several motorcycle clubs and veterans groups joined the relay, including the Pat Tillman American Legion Riders and the Navajo-Hopi Honor Riders.
“We‘ll have a total of two flag bearers through Arizona, and then it’ll get transferred to Nevada on Thursday morning,” Caniglia said.
The tour is one of the nonprofit organization’s main fundraisers. Caniglia said the effort is 100 percent volunteer-driven, and all proceeds go to support its programs.
“We assist veterans and their families struggling with any type of financial hardship that they’re encountering,” he said.
“That could be car repairs, home repairs—anything the veteran needs during a time of need.”
The Patriot Tour is the ceremonial passing of one American flag through all 50 states. It is traditionally carried on the back of a motorcycle, according to the Nation of Patriots website.
The tour, which involves thousands of riders and 14,000 miles of nonstop travel, takes about 120 days to complete.
“It’s really seeing folks come together and rally behind the flag and what we represent,” Caniglia said.
Caniglia said this year’s event is especially poignant in light of the 14 servicemen and women killed in the Iran conflict.
“We stand firm on supporting our veterans,” he said, adding that one of his goals has been conducting the flag-passing ceremony at Native American landmarks.
At 9 a.m., riders carried the flag to a gathering point at Window Rock Tribal Park and Veterans Memorial, near the Navajo tribal government center.
The hollow rock formation known as Window Rock is considered a sacred place—and a fitting venue for transferring the flag, Caniglia said.
“We share a lot with the Navajo and Hopi tribes,” Caniglia said. “They have a lot of veterans themselves.”
Army veteran Patrick Arthur, a Navajo from Chichiltah, New Mexico, conducted the ceremony in the traditional language, honoring all veterans present and fallen.
Smoke from burning charcoal drifted across the ceremony as Arthur gave the blessing using traditional sacred objects. He then doused those present with water for protection on their journey.
Navajo-Hopi Honor Rider Mike Camarillo, 64, accepted the task of bearing the flag to its next stop in Flagstaff, Arizona, about 190 miles west.
A Navy veteran, Camarillo spent 12 years in law enforcement as a K-9 handler. He served with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Apache County Sheriff’s Office, the Arizona Department of Public Safety State Gang Task Force, and the Navajo Police Executive Protection Service.
“I’ve witnessed this flag transfer many years,” he said. “This year I was asked to be a flag bearer and I think it’s something for me.”
“I can’t ask for anything more than to carry the flag of the United States and being part of this mission across all 50 states. I think it’s just a great honor.”
The flag returns to Albert Lea on Sept. 19.
