As a former Marine, Lance E. Robinson said he always had a strong sense of patriotism.

Now, Robinson, who served from 1974 to 1978, is pounding the pavement to raise awareness for a new way to recognize American veterans. Robinson is marching across the United States to lobby support for the creation of Brother to Brother Day. The day, he said, will be designated Sept. 10.

The march, he said, has a dual purpose.

“I’m marching across the United States to honor our troops coming home, first and foremost,” he said. “And to honor our new young veterans with a day of honor.”

Brother to Brother Day, he said, is all about veterans honoring veterans.

Sept. 10, veterans from all eras would wear their uniform or some other distinctive item to their jobs so they would stand out and be recognized for their service.

“It is on this day men and women will don their uniforms once more to show the men and women who serve this country that we are still one nation under God,” he said.

Saturday, as Robinson walked into Selma from Montgomery, he was escorted by dozens of veterans in cars and on motorcycles. The escort led him across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and to Selma City Hall where Mayor George Evans acknowledged Robinson’s efforts with a proclamation supporting Brother to Brother Day.

Evans said he was happy to do his part to help thank American veterans.

“Basically this is a proclamation saying we are pleased to be a part of this,” he said. “We want to recognize our veterans who gave their lives and made sacrifices to make sure we have the freedoms we currently do.”

So far, Robinson said he has visited 15 states. When he left Selma, he was headed west to Meridian and Jackson, Miss. and then to Baton Rouge La.

Sept. 10 was chosen, Robinson said, because it was on the eve of destruction brought by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

For more information on Brother to Brother Day, log on to brothertobrotherday.webs.com.