VFP Member Pedals For Peace

April 25, 2012

WWII Veteran to Bicycle 360 Miles in Opposition to War
World War II Marine combat veteran and Veteran For Peace member Samuel Winstead will be riding his bicycle on a 360-mile "Ride for Peace" that will depart Raleigh, NC, on Sunday, April 29, 2012, and conclude with a rally in front of the White House on Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Winstead, a retired farmer from Person County, NC, who is 86 years old, plans stops in Henderson, NC (April 29), Blackstone, VA (April 30), Gum Spring, VA (May 1), Culpeper, VA (May 2), Middleburg, VA (May 3), and Leesburg, VA (May 4). Winstead intends to arrive at Lafayette Square Park in Washington, DC, (in front of the White House) for a Rally for Peace at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5th.

"The purpose of the trip is to ask the President and the Congress to stop our current wars," Winstead said. "Our war machine is running us into the ground. The military budget is breaking records. Our government, at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, is making noises about getting into a war with Iran. Meanwhile we're building bases and installing weapons around the world in a blatant attempt to surround China and Russia. What is this madness? This is costing us our standard of living, not to mention our souls. This has nothing to do with the oath we take to protect the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. The vast majority of Americans want these wars ended, and that is the message I intend to take to Washington without burning a drop of the oil that seems to be found in every region where our government sends our young servicemen and women, including my grandson."