There is something truly inspirational happening in Utah, and I am not sure how much it is noticed outside of the state.
There is a soldier who has recently returned from Iraq named Marshall Thompson. Since coming home, he wanted to do something to bring attention to the war, and to help bring home all the other soldiers who are still over there. He has started to walk, all the way across Utah. He is keeping a daily journal of his trek at his website www.asoldierspeace.com.
As he walks, dozens of people come out to meet him and walk with him. Come read his story.
My name is Marshall Thompson and I recently returned to Utah after serving one year in Iraq. While it still seems like a wonderful dream to be home, I can't rest knowing of all the brave men and women sacrificing in Iraq. There is not enough being done to bring them home..
Marshall Thomspon was a military journalist who served in Kosovo, Macedonia and Korea before being deployed to Iraq for one year. In this capacity, he was able to travel to all parts of Iraq and interview soldiers in the field. Now he has returned to his wife and new baby, in one of the most beautiful places on earth. What could compel this young man to leave his home and walk 500 miles?
I can't stand the thought of more people dying simply because we can't agree on a way to leave Iraq. I can't have peace in my own life until I've done all I can to help my brothers and sisters stuck there. This walk is to bring peace to Iraq, and if not that, then at least to bring peace to my soul.
He invites people to walk with him. He did not know if he would be welcomed in this, the reddest state in the union. But he has walked from the Idaho border, and is currently in Gunnison, central Utah, and has never walked alone. Although he has met some pro-war supporters, they have been respectful. On day four of his journey he writes
On our way through Willard, a local Vietnam War vet stopped and gave me a donation and shook my hand. He said that people needed to stop being apathetic and challenge the things that we hear from our elected officials.
It's amazing, but I thought that was what America was all about: the leaders answering to the people. But so many people who support the war keep telling me that I need to listen more to our elected officials and stop questioning their judgment. That seems backward to me. I think it's time Americans stop blinding listening to politicians. It's time for politicians to start listening to the people.
He is finding positive support from many family members who have loved ones in Iraq. I think this has touched a spot deep in the psyche of so many people.
Just past Mantua (pronounced man-a-way), a car slowed to a stop. A man rolled down the window and said he wanted to shake my hand. I did so just as I heard the honk of a speeding semi-truck coming our way. The woman driving wisely pulled over into the emergency lane and we spoke for a second. An improvised explosive device hit their son during a convoy in Iraq. They said he was OK, but the right side of his body will never be the same. Their son, now returned home, was driving through the canyon and saw me walking, but didn't notice in time to stop. They said he called them up and told them to drive up the canyon and shake my hand. I was honored. It was a reminder of why this walk is so important. Real people are being killed or injured. It doesn't need to happen anymore. There's never been a better time to end this war.
He is gathering local attention in the newspapers of each town that he passes through. They stop at exhibits of the boots of fallen soldiers from the Eyes Wide Open tour.
Pete Ashdown also walked with me through his hometown of Bountiful. He even took the time to stop in and visit my Granny for a few minutes. He was gracious and polite and has given considerable thought to peace in Iraq. I was very impressed.
I need to state again, that this walk is non-partisan. I invited all the Utah delegation to walk with me, Republican and Democrat alike. All refused. It's important to note that their challengers do walk with me. Our elected government is too concerned with maintaining the status quo to worry about what their constituents say about the war. Unfortunately, the status quo means that over two U.S. soldiers and over 50 Iraqi civilians die every day. I think it's time we elect some challengers
We can follow his journey every day at the website www.asoldierspeace.com (sorry, I don't know how to hyperlink just yet) He plans to finish the walk at St George on the Utah/Arizona border on October 31st. This event is happening now, and should be honored by us who support his cause.
I don't know if the walk will get the troops home. If nothing else, however, I'll know that I did everything I could to save the lives of my brothers and sisters in Iraq.