A lot of people see Terry Ronzio every morning along Route 19, and many probably think of him as the "Flag Guy."

But he isn't out there marking off the miles for his health, although he does run Back to Basics, a store that sells natural health products in Castle Shannon.

As he's wearing out another pair of Wal-Mart work boots, walking his latest route along Washington Road and West Liberty Avenue, Mr. Ronzio is hoping all those motorists see him as an icon of patriotism.

Carrying a big American flag helps.

"I am a spark for patriotism," said Mr. Ronzio, 44, who happily proclaims a love for all things Americana, including the Fourth of July and fireworks.

His passion goes beyond mere flag-waving. Mr. Ronzio decided two years ago to show his support of U.S. troops abroad by walking one mile for every American military fatality in Iraq. He said he is coming up on 2,500 miles but has a long road to go; the current Department of Defense figures show 4,066 confirmed dead.

Growing up in Connellsville, Mr. Ronzio played sports in high school and as an adult was always running trails or riding mountain bikes. As a disc jockey for 12 years, he threw his energies into playing wild air guitar at wedding receptions: "I always put on an athletic performance."

He was living in Holbrook, Greene County, as a stay-at-home dad when the events of Sept. 11, 2001, left him outraged and frustrated.

"I wanted to go to New York and help them rebuild," he said.

The outbreak of war only heightened what he felt was an urgent need to show support. Mr. Ronzio, who studied history and food service management at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, had been in ROTC but had never served in the military.

His father served in Vietnam, he said, and he remembered how some vets were treated when they returned in the 1960s.

"What happened to those men and women ... I didn't want [current troops] coming back from the war and having someone call them baby-killers."

One day, he said, "I got so mad, I picked up the flag and started walking. I walked 15 miles that day."

Then he kept going, to the amazement of his friends and family. The early miles were often walked along long, somewhat dangerous stretches of country road, along Routes 21 or 119. He walked down by The Meadows, in rain, heat and snow.

At first, he was averaging 10 miles a morning before work but discovered that seven or eight miles left his feet in better shape because "I'm on my feet all day, working."

Mr. Ronzio prefers Wal-Mart boots -- he's been through 12 pairs -- because they require little break-in time. On his current "Path of War," from Back to Basics in the Lebanon Shops to the McDonald's on West Liberty Avenue and back, he wears his usual attire of fatigue pants, T-shirt or jacket, a backpack and, of course, he carries the flag aloft on a wooden pole.

The backpack holds a few practical items, but it has considerable emotional heft. Amid the rain poncho, water bottles and extra clothing in case the weather turns foul are a few precious items.

"[Marine Sgt.] Joseph McNeer gave me these," he said, displaying uniform patches and an American flag folded neatly into a triangular package.

"I gave him one of my flags and he gave me these."

It is Mr. Ronzio's custom that after each 500 miles, he retires his flag and presents it to a soldier or current unit. The first went to the Waynesburg National Guard.

The long walks have given him a certain political visibility, yet he has bigger plans. Mr. Ronzio recently announced that as a member of the Unity Party, he will challenge John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, in the 12th Congressional District in November.

"I want our next generation to know that they have a future," he said. "That's one of the main reasons I'm running for Congress."

Walking along Route 19 near the Galleria Friday morning, Mr. Ronzio was greeted with honking horns and the occasional wave. A green Chevy pickup, a cream-colored VW Beetle, a Mt. Lebanon police car, a large white storage truck with a startlingly loud horn, even a bicyclist all beeped or shouted a greeting.

It was apparent that by now many drivers are accustomed to seeing Mr. Ronzio as he makes his morning rounds.

His Route 19 route is much safer than the rural roads, he said.

"I've had some bad times, people trying to run me over on the highways. I've been spit on twice, but no one has ever thrown anything.

"I always face traffic; I learned that in Boy Scouts."

West Liberty Avenue, he said, "is fantastic, the safest place I've walked, and it's a lighted path."

Illumination is critical because he often begins his walks in 4:30 a.m. darkness. Many motorists have pulled over to talk, most of them are war veterans, he said.

"I've met veterans from every war. ... It just touches my heart when they pull over and share their stories."