Paul "Paulie" Veneto crossed his 1,000th cumulative mile on Monday, Sept. 7, pushing an airline beverage cart through downtown Rye on his way to Ground Zero.

The retired United Airlines flight attendant has spent five years pushing the cart along routes that trace the flight paths of the four planes hijacked on Sept. 11, 2001. Monday's trek through Rye was his third visit to the city, following stops in 2021 and 2024, according to MyRye.com.

Veneto, founder of Paulie's Push, said Rye holds a unique place among the dozens of towns along his route. In 2024, he recalled, children lined up with their parents along the street downtown. He said the energy was building again as he pushed into the city Monday.

"More children come out for me in Rye than anywhere else along the route … And the fact that I crossed my 1,000th mile here, what a perfect place to celebrate it," Veneto said.

The 1,000-mile total counts every mile Veneto has pushed across all five years of his tribute. His route honors those aboard American Flight 11, which flew from Boston to New York on the morning of the attacks. Photos from Monday showed Veneto speaking to crowds and posing in front of a Rye fire truck.

This year, Veneto was joined by several additional beverage carts so community members could push alongside him. The tribute also stopped in Port Chester on Monday as Veneto made his way from Boston toward Lower Manhattan, News 12 Westchester reported.

"Once I start, I know I'm going to Ground Zero," Veneto told News 12 during the Monday stop.

Veneto plans to arrive at Ground Zero in time for the 25th anniversary commemoration on Friday, Sept. 11.

A commemorative ceremony is scheduled at the Rye Firehouse, 15 Locust Ave., on Friday, Sept. 11, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and Volunteer New York! are also hosting the 16th annual 9/11 Days of Service across the county from Sept. 8 through Friday, Sept. 11.