World War II veteran flees across US to make dreams come true

A 96-year-old World War II veteran runs a so-called race across the United States, from coast to coast, to raise money and send a restored ship to the sea. Writes about this USA Today.

Photo: Shutterstock

Ernie Andrus always preferred running to walking. He is now 96 years old, and he is fleeing from one coast to another coast. In April, he is in Louisiana, near Krotz Springs, about 3,8 miles (6,1 km) west along Highway 190.

Andrus' next stop is Bada's Bar along Highway 190. He averages 13 miles per week and plans to complete his run within the next four years.

A World War II veteran flees across the country for the purpose of raising money to float the restored USS LST 325 reconnaissance landing ship and let it sail to Normandy on the anniversary of Veterans Day.

The idea of ​​running from coast to coast came about when Andrus heard of a man from the UK fleeing across the country. This inspired Andrus to plan his run across the USA, but first he had to make sure that he could do it.

The veteran began to run long distances in the relay. At 88, Andrus ran his first relay race 200 miles (31 km) in Ragnar. Attention was drawn to Andrus when he appeared in Ragmag magazine.

“People asked for my autograph and wanted to take pictures with me,” Andrus recalls. “I thought, if an 88-year-old gets so much attention, how much attention will a 90-year-old running across the country get?”

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At first, the race was only for "adventure and fun." But then it occurred to him to raise money for a dream that Andrus thought was impossible to realize: return LST 325 back to Normandy.

“It was a dream of some of my shipmates, and I thought it would never happen,” the veteran explained.

Andrus was a naval officer. His job was to keep the wounded Marines alive until they were taken to the hospital.

“God has been good to me,” he said. “I never lost a patient during the entire war.”

During World War II, Andrus served on USS LST 124, identical to the refurbished LST 325. Some of his shipmates spent years looking for a warship to use for restoration.

Three years of red tape, an act of Congress, the signature of the US President - and shipmates were able to begin work on LST 325.

“Our group flew to the island of Crete and spent four months there rebuilding the ship,” he said.

Andrus made history with his first cross-country race, becoming the oldest person to run that distance. This happened just 1 day after his 93rd birthday, August 20, 2016. Since then, he decided to run away again, this time from east to west.

Every day starts at 03:00 with several exercises recommended by doctors to make the heart wake up. Then a cup of coffee, then shave. Breakfast Andrus usually at 05:00.

He is always accompanied by John Martin, a native of Louisiana and a former firefighter who met Andrus during his first race. Martin helps with driving, shopping, doing laundry and planning for a veteran jogging.

On the days when he runs, Andrus puts off his breakfast.

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“I usually go to rest around 21 p.m., right after my workout, to keep my leg muscles strong,” Andrus says.

Since restrictions were imposed during the coronavirus pandemic, the marathon runner was unable to meet and sign books. Although this didn’t affect his running schedule, jogging has now become more lonely.

“Now I have very few friends running with me,” the marathon runner said. “I miss those hugs and handshakes.”

In addition, the veteran has become much less sponsors and donations. Despite the great support through PayPal, Andrus most of all needs the support of friends.

“I’m running, and you can walk next to me, since I’m running at a slow pace,” he explained.

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