A Soldier’s March for Peace

What We Do

Part of the mission of A Soldier’s March for Peace is to connect directly with American kids along the walk route (via organized youth groups) to create an environment for discussion on building peace, as well as fostering leadership skills and youth involvement. After Gunnar shares his personal experiences befriending the Iraqi youth he met during his 2003-04 tour, he also discusses his first hand encounters of how these vulnerable kids are manipulated by insurgent groups, as well as the dangers this poses for the America soldiers stationed there.

From there, Gunnar shares letters written by Iraqi youth through the WKR Young Ambassador program to help American kids learn more about the lives of the Iraqi children and put a human face on the people caught up in the conflict. Facilitator-led discussions then take place on the differences and similarities in the lives of from Iraq, Afghanistan and the U.S. in respect to culture, hobbies, schooling, friends, families, and the hope and fears of these children. Finally, all the kids are asked to write letters that will be shared with Iraqi and Afghani children after the walk concludes, as well as encouraged to step up and create their own fundraising project to support the WKR programs.

Where We’ve Been:

  • White Rock YMCA,  Dallas, TX
  • Coppell Family YMCA, Coppell, TX
  • McKinney Family YMCA, McKinney, TX
  • YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Anna, TX
  • Ardmore Family YMCA, Ardmore, OK
  • Cleveland County Family YMCA, Norman, OK
  • Bethany YMCA, Olahoma City, OK
  • Edmond YMCA, OK
  • Guthrie YMCA, OK
  • Stillwater Family YMCA, OK
  • YMCA of Ponca City OK
  • Andover Branch YMCA, KS
  • El Dorado Branch YMCA, KS
  • Operation Purple (National Military Family Association)  Waldron, MO
  • YMCA of Salina KS

Testimonials:

“Having Gunnar and Dina visit our YMCA was definitely the highlight of my year and I know the highlight of the kids’ summer!  How refreshing to see two people who are genuinely dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children…not only in the United States, but in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The stories they shared with our children  really hit home.  Children in war-torn Iraq are so much like American children, but with one chilling difference…they live in a country of war and experience the effects of living in a society where freedom does not rule.  I am so thankful for people like Gunnar who risked his own life as a US soldier so that our children in America can live a life of freedom.  Please support A Soldier’s March for Peace in any way you can. The kids in Iraq need him!” —Gayle, Associate Executive Director, Coppell Family YMCA, Coppell TX

“Thanks for visiting we loved it… GOOD LUCK & THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU ALL DO FOR THE KIDS AROUND THE WORLD.” —Danielle, White Rock YMCA, Dallas TX

“You really inspired our children, us adults too, to be Caring. That is one of the YMCA’s Core Values.” —Irving Dunbar, Senior Facilitator, Colin County Adventure Camp, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Anna TX

Want to become a Youth Group Leader/Community Planner?

Follow one amazing teen’s example of how to get people involved in fundraising in your community: Sam’s Fundraising Tips