Local man edges closer to patriotic goal
Terry Ronzio II is about one third of the way toward reaching his goal of walking one mile for every United States service man and woman killed in Iraq. He presented the American flag he carried during his first 500-mile leg to group of soldiers from Company B of the 1st 110th Infantry unit of the Army National Guard in Waynesburg who waited for him as he finished the walk in a December blizzard.
The flag he carried 500 miles to the George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza in Uniontown on Thursday will be given to a group of injured Iraq war veterans.
“This is the last day I’ll carry this flag,” said Ronzio, 43, of Holbrook, Greene County.
He said he hasn’t yet started the third leg or decided whom to give the third flag to, but his goal is to walk 1,500 miles by Sept. 11 to continue to rally support for those who serve, have served or died fighting in Iraq.
He said he feels disappointed when people ask if elements of the Republican Party or party supporters are paying him to put on patriotic displays to win support for the war.
“I’m doing this because I love this country. I love the troops. They’ve protected us since 9-11,” Ronzio said. “They can’t believe I’m doing this on my own time.”
He said working a variety of odd jobs, including being a disc jockey on weekends, leave him time for his quest.
Through MySpace.com, Ronzio said he discovered that 14 other people from different parts of the country are doing similar walks to show support for American troops.
A self-described history buff, he said he has learned that the soldiers serving in Iraq have spent more time on the front lines of a war than any American soldiers since the Civil War.
“These kids could be the next great generation,” Ronzio said. “These guys are the greatest warriors ever. Our future leaders are fighting.”
Ronzio said he also has learned something about hiking.He said he does some walking on the Youghiogheny River Trail, especially if rain is forecast.
Walking along a busy road in the rain, he said, makes him feel like he’s in laundry machine. He said he also has worn out several pairs of boots.