Connecticut Man Visits Winona Lake During Peace Walk
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE - Al Forte has walked more than 850 miles in the past 66 days praying for peace and encouraging those he encounters to pray.
Forte, 65, Norwalk, Conn., began his Pray for Peace Walk July 19 at Yankee Stadium in New York City.
His journey has taken him to Pennsylvania, Ohio and he took the Lincoln Highway (Old 30) to get to Warsaw.
"The purpose of the walk is to encourage others to pray for peace. Sometimes people think they have to be kneeling to pray, but being aware of God's presence is a prayer," Forte said.
While he walks he prays for issues such as war, muggings and armed robberies.
"If everyone prayed every day we would have peace because there would not be a threat of violence and human suffering would be eliminated," Forte said.
He decided two months ago he wanted to take the trip and started training for the walk.He walked six miles a day three to five times a week to train for the walk.
While he walks he wears a blue shirt with white writing that states on both sides "Pray for Peace."
He walked down Wooster Road in Winona Lake Tuesday afternoon, stopping at Grace College's cafeteria for lunch.
While he was at the college he handed out cards to students encouraging them to pray for peace.
The cards say, "They Pray For Peace, Will You?" and have a photo of soldiers praying.
He has handed out the cards at airports in New York City and at athletic games in Boston.
Forte is a semi-retired office manager in Stanford, Conn., and was in the Army Reserve in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1972.
He said the biggest obstacle he has faced since beginning his journey is having foot blisters. He stopped at podiatrists in Pennsylvania and Ohio to get the blisters treated.
His friend, Joe Ross, drives Forte's vehicle that has his clothing and bottled water.
Forte stays at motels and plans to walk to Chicago over the course of the next 10-12 days and then return to his Connecticut hometown.
When he returns he hopes to start a peace walk in his hometown.
