2 teens 3,000 miles: A March for Peace

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Has anyone else hear about this?

Teen from N. Dutchess walking across U.S. for peace
Associated Press
07/26/2007




Michael Israel, left, and Clinton Corners resident Ashley Casale met just 10 minutes before starting their cross-country walk May 21 in San Francisco.

MONTEZUMA, Iowa - Two teens, one of them from Northern Dutchess, are walking across the country for peace, hoping to gain followers and attention with each step they take.
Ashley Casale, 19, of Clinton Corners, and Michael Israel, 18, of Jackson, Calif., had hoped others who opposed the war in Iraq would join them on their 3,000-mile trek from San Francisco to Washington. But since starting out on May 21, it's usually been just the two of them.
It wasn't what Casale planned when she started a Web site and sent fliers to colleges across the country to promote what she called "March for Peace." Still, after 1,600 miles and three pairs of sandals, she seems satisfied.

"Although it's always nice to have as many people as possible, it's more about the message and we haven't been disappointed there aren't tons of people walking," she said. "We think every individual we meet has been significant and we hope we can inspire them to do whatever they can."
Israel said he learned about the anti-war walk from the Web site.
"I was looking for something bigger to do than just a weekend rally," he said.
The two met for the first time just 10 minutes before they began their journey. Casale had just finished her freshman year at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, and Israel recently graduated from high school.
Just before noon on Wednesday, the pair stopped for lunch in Montezuma, Iowa, a combination eight-lane bowling alley and cafe just off the town square.
Wearing T-shirts and displaying deep tans, the two described the blisters and achy knees they've endured as they crossed the western deserts, the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains.
"We've always been determined to keep going, so we've never thought about quitting, but there are parts of the country that are so isolated, and towns are so far between, we feel like we're alone without any support, but then we come across a town and see the support we have and it helps," Casale said.
The teens said most people have been receptive, even if they haven't agreed with the anti-war position.
Casale recalled a retired farmer and World War II veteran in Nebraska, whose wife recently died. He met them along the side of the road with a big welcoming sign and shared his thoughts about the Iraq war over dinner.
Others have brought them food and water, opened their homes or let them camp in their yards.
There also are occasional obscene gestures and yells.
Despite those moments, Israel said he feels good about what they have accomplished.
"I hope it inspires people to be more vocal and politically active and become more aware of what's going on around them," he said.
Both admit they get homesick.
Casale said she calls home once a day - at her mother's insistence. Israel calls his family at least twice a week.
The two said they rely on each other for emotional support but insist their friendship hasn't become romantic.
"We're just friends," Casale said, smiling.
Casale and Israel said they've gone two weeks without clean clothes and a week without a shower. They go through a lot of water, sunscreen and bandages for blisters.
They hope to reach Iowa City for a peace rally on Friday and arrive in Washington by Sept. 11.
Along the way, they hope their message will be heard.
"Our message is about ending the war in Iraq, but it's more than that. It's about cultivating peace in our daily lives and responding to things in a peaceful, nonviolent way," Casale said.
A phone message left by the Freeman on Wednesday at the Casale home in Clinton Corners was not immediately returned.
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