Times-News
Cumberland, Maryland
August 29, 1998

CHUCK BIEDA
Times-News Staff Writer

Cumberland--Rudy Stolfer will beat his drum on Labor Day to make his pitch for peace.

The Washington, Pa., native is completing the last leg of a cross-country walk for peace that started in November 1996. He recently stopped in Cumberland to have spokes repaired on bicycle tires that support the cart that he pulls.

Finding the stores closed, Stolfer shrugged it off. "God will provide," he said.

That's the attitude that helped him quit a track maintenance job with CSX at its Pittsburgh division.

Stolfer said he does not solicit money or food or a place to stay. "If I'm doing what God wants, he will provide," he said.

When he entered Maryland, one family provided a place for him to stay. When he arrived in Cumberland a man gave him fresh fruit and his prayers. Elsewhere someone stopped his car and handed Stolfer $5, the walker said as he pulled a cart with a 5-foot-long box that doubles as a carrier for his few items and message platform.

He says he is not a zealot, but the message has to get out.

The coffin-shaped box atop his cart displays his faith and hope. The box recalls war victims, and the messages scrawled in magic marker tell people about "One God, one people, one planet, one chance" and "Wage Peace, Not War." Elsewhere the peace symbol and the black and white POW-MIA flag--reminding people about Americans who are prisoners of war-missing in action-- appear on the box.

Stolfer, who carries no driver's license but carries a Kentucky identification card, said he will complete his two-year cross-country walk in Washington, D.C. on Labor Day. He wants to participate in the 10,000 Drums rally at Lafayette Park.

Stolfer has dubbed his walk the Walt Root Quest for Peace. Walt Root stands for "we are living the results of our thoughts," he said.

Five people started the walk. Stolfer remains on the trek.

"The hope for peace is in each individual. We must awaken that hope. It's time to stand together," he said.