NYS Marathon march for Peace

From May 8th to May 17th a small, but passionate band of war protesters performed a Marathon of Peace Marches, walking to Watertown, New York.

They came from 3 different directions, Rochester(west), Ithaca (south) and Utica, New York(east), converging around Pulaski, before pursuing their final march to Watertown, NY where Fort Drum army base is located. They chose this destination since Fort Drum has been considered the largest deployment area of soldiers to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. I couldn’t help remember from my grammar school history that there was a 3 prong march during the Revolutionary War Days covering somewhat similar historic geography to this march. Other similarities could probably be made about empires, volunteer dissident efforts etc. Participants came from as far away as Philadelphia such as an IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against the War), a Veterans For Peace founder from western Pa. , walkers from Buffalo, New York City and Vermont. Not all could walk the entire distance, but they had as their purpose presenting themselves to and engaging dialogue with the rural communities along the way. Those residents have offered more than their proportionate share of soldiers to the Iraq war occupation.

In general the marchers found the people to be supportive of their pleas to end the war

and bring the troops home. Jake from Utica told me after marching 4 days that he felt “very encouraged by the response of the people along the way”. Initially one business owner told his group to move off “his property” which was the sidewalk in front of his restaurant, but then changed his attitude by inviting them into his restaurant.

Another walker, Tom from Ithaca, mentioned that he found the bystanders to be very

encouraging the closer his group got to Watertown and Fort Drum. Early on he experienced only a few cat calls, but as their group progressed closer to the military town, the people seemed surprisingly engaging and supportive of the protesters peace cause. I asked him why that might be. He said maybe they are tired of sending their sons and daughters off to Iraq and Afghanistan. The 2nd Brigade has been deployed from Fort Drum 4 times in this 5 year war. He also noted that peace protesters and people in general are welcoming of the troops when they come back, unlike the Vietnam War. However, he mentioned also that another of the main reasons for the march was to give active duty soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan support in their hard fight for the medical care and benefits they badly need and have often found hard to receive.

Kathy Castania, who took on the huge task of organizing the march, noted that a couple of war supporting groups had made threats to some marchers saying “they wouldn’t make it to Fort Drum” and had asked various people in their area to resist support for the marchers and the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). On the contrary people came out of their houses applauding support for their efforts. One woman mentioned the war has put tremendous stress on her family, citing that her son came back as “a human shell” as he suffers from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Kathy hopes that the overall success of the Ten Day March may serve as a model for other groups around the country to follow for “speaking out to bring the troops home.”

David Donford, a walker from Rochester pointed out the efforts of a man who drove up

in a nursing home van. The driver happened to be a Doctor and an owner of a Nursing Home who volunteered his van and medical services to the marchers. In addition he bought a meal for the walkers. The medical backup was helpful for all the marchers including Ric, a VietnamVeteran from Rochester who did 4 days of the march in his

wheelchair and who is at times dependent on oxygen. Ric also mentioned that although many of the organizers and walkers of this marathon peace effort are on the “older

side” many young people along the way joined the walk. Danielle a high school

student from Pierpont, New York who has written articles and done organizing against the war, joined the walkers for the rest of the trip to Watertown. Freshmen from Oswego

State College talked with the walkers about their efforts in working

with CAN (Campus Anti-War Network). A group of High School kids from Pulaski

Jumped on their bikes and rode 12 miles to Adams Center with the group.

Sean, an ex-marine, marched 9 of the 10 days, suffering from blisters along the way. A Vietnam Vet joined the march, but could only march 1 day due to an injury. He said he has long awaited an opportunity to put his feelings into action.

On the lighter side, Vicky Rider, a longtime Peace Activist and the Founder of Raging

Grannies from Rochester, brought her dog along for the ride. His sign “BONES NOT BOMBS” also highlighted the more than human side of this great marathon that was undertaken by 70 or so walkers over a 10 day span. The numbers were not huge, but their hearts were full of a passion that just may embolden more Americans to Come Out and Speak Out against this devastating and costly war.

Rich Hanford, Veterans For Peace,

Rochester, NY May 24, 2008