Nevada Herald
Sunday May 24, 1998

Across The country on a Quest For Peace

Rudy Stolfer 48 is making his way across the United States with his coffin to signify the time to end all wars. Stolfer made his way north on highway 71 Friday afternoon after stopping in Sheldon for a night's rest He hopes to make it to Washington, D.C. by early fall.

By KATHY HANCOCK
Staff Writer

The Lord told me to go for a walk and I said O.K. replied Rudy Stolfer 48 when asked why he is walking across America pulling a coffin on wheels.

Stolfer of Washington. Pa. a former Marine and Vietnam veteran and now a member of the Walt Root Quest for Peace group was traveling through Vernon County Friday as he is walking and praying for the healing of the land.

He began his quest in December 1996; in Washington, DC. Five people left foot-pulling the coffin with the premise of being at the National Rainbow Gathering on July 4 1997 in Oregon. On Jan. 30 1997. just outside of Selma Al. the first coffin was destroyed by an automobile accident. The walk resumed March 11 1997 from Birmingham, Ala. In Boulder, Colo. in June 1997 the journey joined Uniting Spirits for the remainder of the trip.

On July 13, 1997. Stolfer and new coffin began his journey back to Washiington D.C. from Ochoco National Forest in Oregon. He plans on arriving in the nation's capital Sep 6 1998.

Carrying the coffin behind him every step of the way signifying that it is time in end all wars. Stolfer stated we are all victims of some sort of war. We are all waiting for the next fight to break out Stolfer said. Made of cardboard the coffin still weighs roughly 200 to 300 pounds. When I started out all I had in it was a jacket,a drum and a notebook Stolfer said.

Now the coffin is stuffed full of newspapers, one from every daily newspaper in each state he has traveled in. " Welcome to my home." was Stolfer's reply when ask to see in the coffin.

So what is the real reason for a man wanting to walk across the United States twice. This gives me a chance to tell people what I believe, that there is a lot of stuff that needs fixed, and what I can do about it is to walk," Stolfer stated.

He believes our individual freedoms are eroding daily. It is time for a change, time to take our country back, time to guarantee that our future generations will have a future. "It is time to stop the senseless violence and increase the peace. The time for rhetoric is past. Now is the time for action."

Stolfer replied we have 30 kids a minute die, while we spend millions on war and in digging up stuff we don't even care about anyway. "My odds at world peace are better than Bill Clinton's when he comes out of office.'

Stolfer stated with the Lord there are no limitations as to what he can do. 'None of us are alike and we all have a venue in life we are good at."

The hot, humid weather which has fallen on the county has had an effect on Stolfer's travels. "I shoot for 20 miles a day, trying to start the day out early. But I sometimes quit by noon because of the heat The best day I had was 40 miles, but it was a real hard day. I walked from 7am to 2am.

Stolfer stated he would head east on 54 Highway to Jefferson City, stopping in El Dorado Springs on Sunday to attend church. He hopes to be in St.Louis by June 1. "If I can do that I will he down to 900 miles to do in three months."

Stolfer stated that life on the road is not as had as it would seem. I have met a lot of nice and interesting people and seen lots of interesting sites. It's really cool out here traveling three miles an hour, it took me a day and a half to go from Lamar to Nevada. People say it doesn't take that long to walk that distance, but I take in all the elements. If I see a turtle that needs turning around, I help it or stopping to watch deer. It's something that people are missing out on who are confined to their televisions and who are committed to everyday life happenings Stolfer said.

As to the need for food and shelter, Stolfer has no need for money, but stated it is a luxury. "If someone offers me money I will take it, but I am not doing this for charity." Stolfer continued he hardly ever pays for a meal, since people will give him meals. I have been given shelter in sheriff's departments, churches and motels. People really are generous. They go out of their way to help. There really is a lot of goodness out there "

Stolfer found some of that generous help in Vernon County Thursday evening. After being told he could not sleep in the Sheldon City Park, he continued north, up 71 Highway where he was stopped by Bob and Tammy Ward. The Ward family invited Stolfer to thier residence, where he camped in their yard. It really was an unexpected pleasure to take a dip in the pool after the heat of Thursday.

Stolfer continued he is happier now than he has been his whole life. I use to work for Greenpeace until they went out of business. As long as I am walking I am doing my job. The pay is forth-coming. Meeting new people is very satisfying." He went on to say he has spent 2,000 miles putting one foot in front of another and just wants to keep on to achieve the quest for peace and no more war. "We must all stand for freedom before it all disappears. Peace is possible if you live the dream."

Stolfer feels we have to make the world a better place. "We take too much for granted. We have to want to make things better for our kids and ourselves too. We have the technology to make it better now, but we have got to learn to share. Now is the time to be truthful there is always time for truth. Not only that, it heals."

So Stolfer continues his journey in a pair of Nikes which have 200 miles on them and blown out air soles unsure what the future holds for him once he reaches his destination. If I have time I would like to go to my hometown to see my mom and dad.