FLORENCE -- Jeremy Staat, a former NFL player and Iraqi war veteran, spoke with members of Rolling Thunder at Florence Veterans Park Friday afternoon.

Staat told the members his bicycle ride started 84 days ago, and since then he's traveled more than 3,100 miles.

Staat is calling his journey the "Wall-to-Wall" cross-country ride.

He started in his hometown of Bakersfield, California and plans to journey to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

He hopes to raise awareness for veterans' issues.

"You know we're glad we have an opportunity that we can do these things in a country like this as beautiful as this is. You know we're just real excited to have the opportunity to stop here in Florence and spread the message," said Staat.

When he reaches Washington D.C., Staat will have traveled 4,163 miles in 100 days.

He will have passed through 15 states and stopped at nine military bases.

Staat will also visit veterans' memorials, schools, churches veteran posts, and sporting events.

He plans to make a pit stop at the Darlington Raceway Friday night, before he heads to scheduled events in Robeson County.