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BURLINGTON, Vt. -- T

A group of people in the Champlain Valley say the man carrying the American flag, track and field star Lopez Lomong, is an inspiration. That's because, not long ago, Lomong was one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Just 13 months ago, Lomong became a U.S. citizen.

Several of Sudan's Lost Boys are now grown men living in Vermont. They said watching another Sudanese man lead the U.S. Olympic team into the summer games made them proud.

"I look back to the two million people who died in the war that lasted 21 years, and it's an exciting day," said former Lost Boy Jacob Ayol.

"Just over five years ago, he was in a refugee camp," said Akol Aguek. "To talk about him today as a flag bearer of the United States is just exciting."

he 2008 Olympic Games kicked off in Beijing Friday, and as part of the Opening Ceremony, each country marched its flag into the stadium.