If you were driving along Highway 77 on Sunday, you may have noticed a man in a jean jacket carrying a 10-foot-tall cross.
That's Pastor Ronnie Woods. He was walking what he calls his 'Patriot Cross' from Bellmead to Lacy Lakeview for a two-mile tribute to those who served.
Woods made the cross himself. It's painted red, white and blue and weighs around 40 pounds.
"I want to do it because they've been forgotten," Woods said. "You know, you take a bullet for me, I'll take a walk for you."
Woods said he was beaten with a bat during a home invasion in 1979. He turned to God after he survived the brutal attack, making it his mission to spread a message of love.
"Half of these people didn't want to go, but they loved this country that we stand in right now enough to go die for it," Woods said. "You have to give honor to the ones who did that."
Woods said he has racked up nearly 500 miles since he started honoring our heroes on Veterans Day in 2010.
"Our kids need to know that someone went to war, left their home and their family, to make sure nobody came over here to pick on you," Woods said.
Woods made it a point to smile and wave at passing cars with nearly every step he took.
"Even if they don't wave back, it's okay," Woods said. "I send a prayer their way!"
Woods hopes his actions inspire others to pay it forward and treat veterans with respect.
"Life is real short," Woods said. "Do something for somebody else."
Woods ended his walk at a cemetery to pray for a woman who lost her husband during the Battle of the Alamo.
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