Two men are pedaling their way across the country to raise money for military families. Kevin Mincio and Matt Sauri stopped at Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday to honor two friends who are buried there side-by-side.

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They passed the 3,800-mile mark of their 4,200-mile journey that started in California in early June. Their ride started in Santa Rosa, Calif., at the gravesite of Staff Sgt. Jesse Williams.

They climbed the Rocky Mountains and escaped a heat wave across the Midwest. Through it, they say Marine Lt. Travis Manion and Navy Lt. Brendan Looney inspired them to keep peddling forward.

The Naval Academy roommates were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively. They're buried side-by-side at Arlington National Cemetery.

The two bicyclists were greeted by the Manion and Looney families Wednesday and left two flags they carried on their bikes.

“Two just extraordinary soldiers that we are just honored to be able to say thank you to in person and have the support of their family while we do that,” Mincio said.

The families say they are grateful for this tribute.

“I cried all the way down from Philly this morning so it meant a lot, it meant a lot,” Janet Manion, the mother of the fallen soldier, said.

They say visiting the cemetery helps and hurts.

“We're coming up to a year in September for Brendan so it is still very dear,” said Maureen Looney, the other lieutenant’s mother. “My husband and I cry everyday for Brendan and for the rest of these guys.”

They're encouraging Americans to reach out to military families, especially those who have lost loved ones serving abroad.

“That's what it's all about. It's pulling together as a country and doing the right thing,” Manion said.

So far, the bicyclists have raised $80,000 for military families.

They hope to arrive at ground zero in New York City for the tenth anniversary of 9/11, as long as hurricane Irene does not interfere.