A journey by foot that started in Oregon made its way through upstate New York Tuesday.

A 49-year-old retired postal clerk and veteran is running coast to coast for a greater cause. He is doing it in memory of our fallen troops. Tuesday, he was on his way from Canandaigua to Geneva.

"It's like getting up and going to work everyday," said Mike Ehredt. "I get up and go."

Ehredt has been running since May 1.

"Time is not forgiving. So I can't sit there and say, 'Oh gosh it's a windy day or a rainy day.' The job needs to be done," said Ehredt.

His job is running 30 miles a day, and at every mile he leaves a unique footprint – an American flag, honoring each soldier who died in Iraq.

"I started at 4,387. I'm now down to 571," said Ehredt.

He salutes each soldier and gives a silent symbol of thanks.

"The mile that I spend with that person’s name, sometimes I think what were they like and where they lived and the personality they had and the people they left behind," said Ehredt.

He has run more than 3,000 miles so far and has only taken four days off since he first started in Astoria, Oregon.

"I had a mother from Alabama drive 28 hours to find me on the side of the road so she can walk a mile with her son's flag,” said Ehredt.

In each city there is a new supporter. Some run alongside him, like Michael Shugars, 11.

"I think it's a really good cause and he's doing it for a good reason," said Shugars.

And there’s someone who hosts him each night.

"It's very humbling. I just think it's amazing," said Patty Stell, his Canandaigua host.

Ehredt said he didn't start this mission for money, but rather to see the country and take a few angels with him.

"I just wanted to pay tribute in a unique way," said Ehredt. "I'm never really alone out there and that person is with me."

Ehredt said he will finish on October 15 in Rockland, Maine, where the first soldier who died in Iraq was from.

You can track his progress on his web site Project America Run.

What makes this more unique is that he didn't set out to collect donations, but he said supporters have given him more than $100,000 for his cause. The funds will go towards a non-profit group supporting veterans.