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92-Year-Old World War II Veteran Attempting to Run Across America

World War II Navy veteran Ernest Andrus, 92, is attempting a run across the U.S. from San Diego to Brunswick, Ga.
Courtesy Ernest Andrus

November 11, 2015, 10:20 PM

 -- A 92-year-old World War II Navy veteran who wants to be the oldest man to run across America is nearing the finish line after more than two years and 1,900 miles of running.

The former sailor, Ernest Andrus, is currently in Opelousas, Louisiana, on the last leg of his cross-country run that started in 2013 in San Diego, California, he told ABC News. He added that he hopes to finish within the next year or so on the Atlantic coast in Brunswick, Georgia.

"I ran my first half marathon at 87," Andrus said. "I heard of a British man who was trying to run across all the continents, so I thought it would be cool if I could run coast to coast across the country. I've gone through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and I'm now in the middle of Louisiana."

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Andrus explained that he's running to help raise money to bring the the USS LST 325, a ship he served on during World War II, back to Normandy, France, for a 75th D-Day anniversary memorial service in 2019.

World War II Navy veteran Ernest Andrus, 92, is attempting a run across the U.S. from San Diego to Brunswick, Ga.

"I don't know if I'll ever be able to raise enough, but I'll donate whatever I can to the memorial," he said. "And even if it doesn't happen, I'm still having a lot of fun. With a little over 1,900 miles under my belt, I don't plan on giving up now."

The 92-year-old runs anywhere between 3-10 miles a day, he said, adding that he "goes a very slow pace" and averages about 6 miles a day.

"I have a motorhome, which I move about once a month, and I have a tow car that I can use to get back and forth from where I start runs, and usually someone running with me will help me out, though a few times, I've had to hitchhike back to my motorhome," Andrus said.

The former seaman added that his favorite part about running is "meeting all the wonderful people of the USA," who often join him on portions of the trip.

A local runner who recently ran with Andrus told local station KLFY that Andrus inspired her.

"I started running about five years ago," Missy Trahan, 51, said. "Somebody said he was the modern day Forrest Gump, you know? That’s amazing to me."

Andrus said the best part of his trip thus far was when over 1,000 schoolkids greeted him in Longview, Louisiana yelling, "Run, Ernie, run!" while waving American flags.

The 92-year-old added though his doctor and family were initially wary and shocked when he announced his run, they became "incredibly supportive" after realizing he was serious.

"My doctor told me, 'What you’re doing is better than anything we can do for you,'" Andrus said. "He told me to keep moving, and that's what I've been doing. It's been really fun."