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Terry Ronzio of Greene County finishes his goal of walking 500 miles carrying an American flag in honor of military personnel. Ronzio finished his walk by crossing the Veterans Bridge in Masontown. The bridge links Fayette and Greene counties. Dave Rafferty/Herald-Standard MONONGAHELA TWP. - Ending a 500-mile walk to show support for U.S. troops fighting the war on terror in the Middle East on the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor was perfect timing for Terry Ronzio II of Holbrook. "This is a very hallowed day. 9/11 is our modern day Pearl Harbor," said Ronzio, 43, after he crossed the Veterans Bridge, which carries Route 21 from Fayette County to Greene County, and was greeted with handshakes and hugs from a group of veterans who served in Iraq. Ronzio said he just recently learned that the bridge was called the Veterans Bridge. "It was fitting to end it here," he said. He carried a weather-faded American flag, but he was presented with a newer one from 1st Sgt. Robert Nelson and other members of the Company B, 1st 110th Infantry unit of the Army National Guard based in Waynesburg. Nelson said the flag had flown over Camp Habbaniyah in Iraq. He said flags at military camps are replaced every day and the ones taken down are usually reserved for soldiers. "Thank you," Ronzio said. "You guys are my brothers." "Thank you for your support," Nelson responded. "Nobody realizes how much it means to us. Ronzio said he hopes his trek inspires more people to display American flags. This country needs more patriots," he said. Caroline Carter of Rices Landing, a member of the American Legion Nix-Vogel Post 935 in Pittsburgh, presented Ronzio with a certificate of appreciation from the post for his walk. Next year, he said is planning a 1,000-mile walk to honor fallen American soldiers. "I wish I could do more for them," said Ronzio, a jack-of-all-trades who said he works at his mother's herbal shop in Connellsville, as a chef and is a disc jockey on weekends. His walk began at the end of August along Route 119 in Connellsville, calling the highway his "war path." He also walked along Route 21 and averaged about 30 miles a week. His mother and father, Lillian and Terry Ronzio also greeted him at the end of his journey. "We're very proud," the elder Ronzio said. "We wanted to be here for this moment. He walked in all weather. We worried about traffic, but there was not deterring him." Joining Nelson was Spec. Joshua Matiyasic, Spec. Herb Ross and unit recruiter Staff Sgt. Jeremy Rohanna. Nelson said the unit served a year in Iraq and returned in June. He said they trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. ©The Herald Standard 2006 THE EXTREME PATRIOTTerry Ronzio (left), of Holbrook, concluded his 500-mile walk to support U.S. troops Thursday in Masontown. He was welcomed by (right to left) 1st Sgt. Robert Nelson, Spc. Joshua Matiyasic and Spc. Herb Ross, of Army Company B, stationed in Waynesburg.Walking the warpathBy Mark Hofmann Daily Courier Friday, December 8, 2006A Greene County man who walked a long stretch of local roadways for four months completed his 500-mile journey Thursday in support of U.S. troops. There were several reasons for Terry Ronzio II to grab his American flag, step outside his Holbrook home at the end of August and walk any time of day he could for a total of 500 miles, but the ultimate two reasons were to help unite the country and support the troops."One day I just wanted to do something," Ronzio said.Because of naysayers reacting to his plan to walk with the flag, Ronzio thought the perfect motivator for him would be completing the 500 miles by Christmas.He officially completed 500 miles at noon Dec. 7 on the Veterans Bridge in Masontown."This is a hallowed day," Ronzio said, his journey ending on the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought America into World War II -- just as some consider the attacks on 9/11 the first battle in the U.S. war on terror. "September 11th was our modern Pearl Harbor."Ronzio was met by his family at the end of Veterans Bridge."We're very proud of our son," said Terry Ronzio, his father. "We were worried that he would be hit by a car."Especially worried was Ronzio's mother, Lillian Ronzio."I thought, 'Why is he doing this?'" she said, but beyond her motherly instincts, she saw the positive results of her son's actions.During his walks, vehicles would pass by and honk their horns, drivers and passengers waved at him, people stopped to offer him water and Ronzio even inspired others to walk with their flags."He touched so many hearts with this thing," Lillian Ronzio said. "So many people approached me about him with tears in their eyes."Along with his family and some media, he was met at the end of the bridge by 1st Sgt. Robert Nelson, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Rohanna, Spc. Joshua Matiyasic and Spc. Herb Ross, all from Army Company B, stationed in Waynesburg.It was Ronzio's intention to give his American flag to a company or unit heading to Iraq when he reached his 500-mile goal.Nelson's company served in Iraq for a year and knew of Ronzio's mission."It feels great knowing someone's behind us," Nelson said. "The support everyone gives is overwhelming."Rohanna said before he knew what Ronzio was up to, he would often see him carrying the flag along the roadway and would support him with a honk.As Ronzio handed the soldiers his flag, which will be put on display at the Waynesburg armory, the soldiers presented Ronzio with one of the flags that flew with them while in Iraq."I feel great, especially seeing those guys there," Ronzio said. "I'm not stopping. I really like doing this."He plans to walk next for the fallen soldiers, a mile for each soldier killed in the war on terror."I want to honor those who made the greatest sacrifice," he said.