U.S. Army veteran Jordan Buck crosses the finish line with the American flag during Team Red, White and Blue’s first Old Glory Ultra Relay in Washington on Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — Twelve veterans kept the American flag moving as they ran 3,000 miles across the country and completed Team Red, White and Blue’s Old Glory Ultra Relay, a challenge aimed at inspiring the nation’s veterans to prioritize their physical health.

Families, friends and supporters watched and cheered Sunday as the veterans crossed the finish line at the future location of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall.

“It went better than we could have expected,” Army veteran Jason Wood told Stars and Stripes at the finish line. “The biggest thing for me was the camaraderie and ... seeing the impact that it [the relay] had across the country to communities.”

It took 16 days of running 7-8 minute miles nonstop for the veterans to finish the 3,000-mile relay.

VA Secretary Doug Collins (middle) poses for a group photo with Team RWB runners at the finish line of the Old Glory Ultra Relay in Washington, May 18, 2025. (Team RWB via Facebook)

U.S. Army veteran Jason Wood at the finish line of Team Red, White and Blue’s Old Glory Ultra Relay in Washington, May 18, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

Michael Rodríguez, President & CEO, Global War On Terrorism Memorial Foundation, hugs a Team RWB runner while holding the American flag at the finish line of the Old Glory Ultra Relay in Washington, May 18, 2025. (Team RWB via Facebook)

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Lindsay Kasow (left) and her father Mark (right) pose for a photo at the finish line of Team Red, White and Blue’s first Old Glory Ultra Relay in Washington, May 18, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

U.S. Army veteran Cole DeRosa (left) and Michael Sullivan, Team RWB’s chief of staff, (right), hold a folded American flag together at the finish line of Team RWB’s Old Glory Ultra Relay in Washington, May 18, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

U.S. Army veteran Bill Savage’s family poses for a group photo with American flags at the finish line of Team Red, White and Blue’s first Old Glory Ultra Relay in Washington, May 18, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

“These 12 amazing American veterans stepped up to do something that I think is absolutely mind-blowing and at a superhero level,” said Michael Rodríguez, President & CEO of the Global War On Terrorism Memorial Foundation. “They represent the beauty, strength, resiliency and selflessness of the entire veteran population and their families.”

Marine Corps veteran Lindsay Kasow, one of two female runners on the team, said she never would have seen herself running 3,000 miles across the country, but she did it because of the cause it represents.

“Words can’t describe how happy I am,” said Kasow, who is also employed at the VA. “It was an amazing experience ... but also the journey’s not over.”

Team RWB’s first Old Glory Ultra Relay established a world record for continuously relaying a single American flag across the continental United States. The relay started May 2 from the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. The veterans ran in the heat, snow, and adapted to elevation changes through Phoenix; Roswell, N.M.; Dallas; Springdale, Ark.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Salem, Va.

“It [the relay] was more than just themselves and being part of a world record,” Michael Sullivan, Team RWB’s chief of staff, told Stripes. “It was the mission. It was the idea they were moving things forward for other veterans like themselves.”

Secretary of the VA Doug Collins was also at the finish line to commend the runners and support Team RWB’s mission of building a healthy lifestyle for veterans.

“Your running across America has shown that there are very valuable things that each veteran needs to hear,” Collins said. “Too many of our veterans today have left the service and unfortunately forgot how great they are. They no longer get up and maybe walk, run or lift weights or do the things to keep healthy ... a healthy veteran makes America better.”

Throughout the relay, Team RWB raised over $700,000 of their $1 million goal for veteran health and wellness, which, according to Sullivan, represents the most individual donations the nonprofit organization has received in their history.

Alexander Banerjee contributed to this story.