Demilitarize Our Oceans To Sustain Life On This Planet -- #Maine Peace Walk Oct 9-24

Banner for the bus that will accompany the Maine Peace Walk this year, by Russell Wray.

October 9-24   Ellsworth, ME to Portsmouth, NH
Pentagon’s Impact on the Oceans

The Pentagon has the largest carbon footprint on our Mother Earth.  Waging endless war consumes massive amounts of fossil fuels and lays waste to significant environmentally sensitive places on the planet – particularly the oceans.

The oceans are inhabited by a multitude of different life forms, from microorganisms to whales, many of whom are able to sense sound and use it to find food, navigate, communicate, and avoid predators. Navy sonar blasts wreak havoc on these creatures, disrupting their lives, leaving animals more susceptible to disease and lowered reproductive success, and sometimes injuring and killing them.

Because Navy sonars are extremely loud, depending on ocean conditions, that noise can travel at harmful levels for tens or even hundreds of miles, impacting huge numbers of animals. By the Navy’s own estimates, sonar noise can still be as high as 140 decibels 300 miles from the source, a level that is a hundred times more intense than the level known to result in behavioral changes in large whales.

Some of these exercises will even take place inside designated critical habitat for the already endangered right whale, frequenter of Maine waters. In fact, the Navy is now constructing a 500 square mile instrumented range off the coast of Georgia where it intends to conduct 470 sonar exercises annually - the Navy chose this site just offshore of the only known calving grounds of the right whale! In March 2015 Navy sonar testing near Guam led to the stranding of three beaked whales.

Shipyard Impacts in Maine

Pier-side testing of sonar occurs at Bath Iron Works (BIW) and at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery which results in significant fish kills. Navy off-shore weapons testing exercises puts toxic chemicals and hazardous materials and waste into Maine’s marine environment.

The Kennebec River that BIW fronts is often dredged in order to allow the deep hulled destroyers built there to get into the ocean.  Dredging takes a heavy toll on aquatic life.

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has caused serious pollution of the local environment. The shipyard is on an island that the Pentagon considers as one of their facilities most vulnerable to climate change, particularly their dry-dock facilities. Rising sea levels could affect shipyard toxic waste sites which are now mostly right on the shoreline and would seriously impact water quality and sea life.

Ocean Acidification

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution in the early 1800s, fossil fuel-powered machines have driven an unprecedented burst of human industry and society. Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in ocean pH caused by human fossil fuel emissions. Oceans currently absorb approximately half of the CO2 produced by burning fossil fuel. An estimated 30–40% of the carbon dioxide released by humans into the atmosphere dissolves into oceans, rivers and lakes.

Arctic Militarization Due to Climate Change

In early 2014 Maine’s Sen. Angus King went on a nuclear submarine ride under the Arctic Sea ice which is now melting due to climate change.  Admiral Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations was on the sub and said, “In our lifetime, what was [in effect] land and prohibitive to navigate or explore, is becoming an ocean… We need to be sure that our sensors, weapons and people are proficient in this part of the world,” so that we can “own the undersea domain and get anywhere there.”

When Sen. King returned from the trip he told his constituents that there has been "a 40% reduction in ice as a result of global warming."  He reported that "previously inaccessible" gas and oil reserves were now going to create "new opportunities".  King concluded, "I am convinced we need to increase our capacity in the region, something I intend to press upon my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee as we work on our military priorities for the coming years."

Rather than drill for more fossil fuels in the Arctic, and create a new arms race in that environmentally sensitive region, the US should be working to convert our military industries to build offshore wind turbines, rail, solar and tidal power.  According to studies done by theUMASS-Amherst Economics Department shipyards in Bath and Portsmouth could nearly double their number of jobs by building rail or wind turbines.  The Gulf of Maine has more wind power generating potential than any other place in the US.

Help Save Our Seas

If the seas die so do humans on Earth and much of the wildlife.  Now is the time to speak out for ending the massive military impacts on the world’s oceans and for conversion of our fossil fuel dependent military industrial complex to sustainable technologies. We will walk to bring attention to these crucial issues.  Please help us carry this message to the public by joining with us.


Maine Walk for Peace is sponsored by:  Maine Veterans for Peace; PeaceWorks; CODEPINK Maine; Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST); Peace Action Maine; Veterans for Peace Smedley Butler Brigade (Greater Boston); Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space; (List in formation)*

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We would like for you to let us know if you plan to be with us for any part of this peace walk so we can more effectively make our logistical plans. Contact us at danellis@vfpmaine.org and let us know the date(s) you plan to join us, your name, and contact information for each person. For more info please call (207) 443-9502 before the walk begins or (904) 501-4494 during the walk.

What to Bring?

If you plan to walk we recommend you bring: good walking shoes; water bottle; rain gear (including rain pants); sleeping bag & pad (some nights we will be provided with home hospitality); sun screen, moleskin for blisters; and hat.

We will have a covered vehicle to haul all walker gear so you will not have to carry anything.We will also have a minibus to give people rides when they get tired during the walk.

If you have specific location questions you can call the name listed for the local coordinator in
each town below or call the VFP walk organizers at numbers listed above. Thanks and see you
along the road. This will be a community building experience for all of us.

Banner for the Peace Walk created by the Artists Rapid Response Team (ARRT!) of the Union of Maine Visual Artists

Pot Luck Supper Schedule

Day 1 (Ellsworth) Friday, October 9 -   Ellsworth Unitarian Church (121 Bucksport Rd) Evening potluck and kick-off program at 6:00 pm. Homestays needed.    Host: Starr Gilmartin 667-2421

Day 2 (Orland) Saturday, October 10 - Potluck supper 6:00 pm and program at H.O.M.E (90 School House Rd.) Homestays and sleep at H.O.M.E.  Host: Starr Gilmartin 667-2421 or Lawrence 415-565-9867

Day 3 (Belfast) Sunday, October 11 - First Church UCC (104 Church St) Pot luck supper (unadvertised) 6:00 pm, public program 7:00 pm.    Home stays needed & sleep at church: Cathy Mink 323-5160 & Bev Roxby 669-2903.      Host: Joel 338-2282 or 323-0940 at the UCC Church

Day 4 (Camden) Monday, October 12 - Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church (7 Union St) Pot luck supper and program at 6:00 pm. Home stays needed. Host: Maureen Kehoe-Ostensen 763-4062

Day 5 (Rockland) Tuesday, October 13 - Potluck supper and program at Unitarian church (345 Broadway) at 6:00 pm. Homestays needed.  Host: Midcoast Citizens for P & J (Steve Burke 691-0322)

Day 6 (Damariscotta) Wednesday, October 14 - Friends Meeting House (77 Belvedere Rd) Potluck Supper and program at 6:00 pm. Sleep at Meeting House.  Host: Friends Meeting (Sue Rockwood 570-854-4458)

Day 7 (Bath) Thursday, October 15 - UCC Neighborhood Church (corner of Washington & Centre) Potluck supper and program at 6:00 pm. Homestays needed.  Host: Bruce Gagnon 904-501-4494 & Karen Wainberg 371-8190

Day 8 (Day off) in Bath Friday, October 16 - Stay at same homestays again this night. Potluck supper at Addams-Melman House (212 Centre St) at 6:00 pm. Host: Bruce Gagnon 904-501-4494 & Karen Wainberg 371-8190
Day 9 (Brunswick) Saturday, October 17 - Pot luck supper at Sternlieb home (21 McKeen St) at 6:00 pm. Walker music program. Home stays needed in Brunswick. Host: Selma Sternlieb 725-7675

Day 10 (Freeport) Sunday, October 18 - Pot luck supper at First Parish Congregation Church (on US 1) at 6:00 pm and program. Sleep at church. Host: Paula O’Brien 865-6022 & Sukie Rice 318-8531 & Cheryl Avery 865-0916

Day 11 ( Portland) Monday, October 19 - State Street Church-UCC (159 State St.) Pot luck supper & program at 6:00 pm.  Homestays needed. Host: Grace Braley 774-1995

Day 12 (Saco) Tuesday, October 20 - First Parish Congregation Church on corner of Beech & Maine. Pot luck supper and program at 6:00 pm. Home stays needed.  Host: Tom Kircher 282-7530

Day 13 (Kennebunk) Wednesday, Oct 21 - New School (38 York Street). Pot luck supper and program at 6:00 pm. Sleep at school.  Host: Olive Hight 207-590-9505

Day 14  (York Beach) Thursday, October 22 - York Beach (52 Freeman St) Supper, music program & sleeping spot at 6:00 pm. Host: Pat Scanlon 978-474-9195 & Smedley Butler Brigade of Boston-area VFP

Day 15 (Portsmouth) Friday, October 23 - Supper and program at St. John’s Episcopal Church (100 Chapel St) at 6:00 pm.  Home stays needed, Host: Doug Bogen 603-617-6243 (Meet at Prospect Park at 5:00 pm for rally)

Day 16 (Finale in Portsmouth) Saturday, October 24 - Meet at Market Square 10:00 am. Walk thru downtown and back over bridge to Kittery. Vigil & speakers at shipyard gate (deliver letter). Walk back to Market Square for final closing circle around noon. Host: Doug Bogen 603-617-6243

Walk Route

Day 1 (Bath to Ellsworth) Friday, October 9, 2015
- Meet in Bath (212 Centre St) 9:00 am and drive north to Ellsworth Unitarian
Church (121 Bucksport Rd)
- Lunch at church
- Walk thru Ellsworth downtown area – turn right on Hwy 3 and walk until McDonald’s
and turn around and walk back to church – total 4 miles
- Meet at church for walk orientation (3:30 pm-ish)
- Evening potluck and kick-off program at 6:00 pm
- Homestays
- Host: Starr Gilmartin 667-2421

Day 2 (Ellsworth to Orland) Saturday, October 10
- Begin walking from Unitarian church on US 1 South at 9:00 am
- 2.9 AMHC on left (Break)
- 6.0 Vacant gas station on left (Lunch)
- 8.7 Flea market on left (Break)
- 11.6 WERU radio station
- Shuttle ahead to H.O.M.E (3.4 miles on the left)
- Potluck supper 6:00 pm
- Sleep at H.O.M.E (90 School House Rd.)
- Host: Starr Gilmartin 667-2421 or Lawrence 415-565-9867

Day 3 (Orland to Belfast) Sunday, October 11
- Start walk at H.O.M.E. at 8:30 am
- 2.8 Irving station on left (Break)
- 2.8 Left onto bridge
- 3.9 River park at end of bridge
- 4.3 Left on Hwy 1
- 5.8 Cemetery on left
- 6.8 Sand Point Beach Park on left (Lunch spot)
- 9.6 Sunoco station on left (Break)
- 9.9 Great Maine Food on left
- 11.7 Searsport town line
- 12.4 Rug Hook store on right
- Shuttle to Belfast
- 14.6 Citgo on left
- 17.5 Belfast town line
- 19.8 Bridge over river into Belfast
- 20.2 Right to town on Hwy 7/137/1/3
- 20.7 Waterfall Arts building on right
- Unload and walk thru town
- 21.0 Right at road split becomes Church St
- 21.2 First Church UCC (104 Church St)
- Pot luck supper (unadvertised) 6:00 pm, public program 7pm
- Home stays & sleep at church: Cathy Mink 323-5160 & Bev Roxby 669-2903
- Host: Joel 338-2282 or 323-0940 at the UCC Church

Day 4 (Belfast to Camden) Monday, October 12
- Start at UCC church – take immediate left on Miller St at 9:00 am
- 0.1 Right on High St
- 1.4 Left onto Hwy 1 South
- 3.1 Los Amigos on left (Break)
- 6.2 VFW hall on left
- 6.9 Gas station on right (Break)
- 9.3 Swan Island Shop on right
- 10.1 Point Lookout on right
- 10.5 Lincolnville town line
- 11.4 Bayshore Baptist Church on right
- 12.0 Lincolnville Beach & Park (Break)
- Shuttle to north side of Camden
- 14.4 Camden town line
- 14.9 Birchwood Motel on right
- 16.1 State Park
- Resume walking thru Camden
- 17.2 Whitehall Inn on right
- Thru downtown
- 18.0 Left on Union St
- 18.1 Veer right to church on right
- Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church (7 Union St)
- Pot luck supper at 6:00 pm
- Home stays
- Host: Maureen Kehoe-Ostensen 763-4062

Day 5 (Camden to Rockland) Tuesday, October 13
- Start walking from Good Hope Catholic Church on US 1 at 9:00 am
- 3.1 Fresh Off the Farm Stand on right (Break)
- 4.7 Shell station on right (Break)
- 5.5 Glen Cove rest area on left by water (Lunch stop)
- 6.1 Rockland town line
- 6.9 Continue straight at McDonald’s
- 7.4 Road splits walkers bear left on Main St (vehicles follow US Hwy 1 South)
- 8.0 Right on Park Dr
- 8.4 Right on Broadway (at light)
- 9.1 Unitarian church on right (345 Broadway)
- Potluck supper and program at 6:00 pm
- Homestays
- Host: Midcoast Citizens for P & J (Steve Burke 273-3247)

Day 6 (Rockland to Damariscotta) Wednesday, October 14
- Start walking from Unitarian Church on Broadway at 9:00 am
- .7 Right onto Hwy 1 South (Park St)
- 1.5 Thomaston town line
- 2.1 McDonald’s on right (Break)
- 2.6 Cement factory on left
- 4.3 Coffee shop on right/Episcopal church on left (Break)
- 6.0 Wood lot on left (Warren town line)
- 8.2 Steve Burke’s home on left – barn has sign ‘Liberty Hall’
- Lunch spot
- Shuttle
- 14.0 Waldoboro town line
- 15.8 Old Mill Mall on right
- Resume walking
- 18.8 Nobleboro town line
- 19.5 Wayside Tea Room House on right (Break)
- 22.7 Damariscotta town line
- 23.5 Jct 1 Business route
- 24.0 Right on Belvedere Rd (blinking light)
- 24.2 Friends Meeting House (77 Belvedere Rd) on right
- Potluck Supper at 6:00 pm
- Sleep at Meeting House
- Host: Friends Meeting (Sue Rockwood 570-854-4458)

Day 7 (Damarascotta to Bath) Thursday, October 15
- Begin walking at Friends Meeting House at 8:30 am
- .2 Right onto Hwy 1 South
- 3.2 Citgo station on right (Break)
- 5.3 Park on left (Break)
- 8.5 Over bridge
- 9.1 Red’s East on right in Wiscasset (Lunch spot)
- Shuttle
- 9.5 Town hall on right
- 12.4 Shaws on left
- 16.8 Woolwich town hall on left
- Resume walking into Bath
- 18.7 Bridge over river
- 19.5 BIW on left (Washington St)
- Vigil as work gets out at 3:30 pm
- Deliver letter to BIW and Local 6 union
- UCC Neighborhood Church (corner of Washington & Centre)
- Potluck supper and program at 6:00 pm
- Homestays
- Host: Bruce Gagnon 904-501-4494 & Mary Beth Sullivan 443-9502

Day 8 (Day off) in Bath on Friday, October 16
- Stay at homestays again this night
- Potluck supper at Addams-Melman House (212 Centre St) at 6:00 pm
Day 9 (Bath to Brunswick) Saturday, October 17
- Meet at UCC church (Washington & Centre) at 9:00 am
- Walk toward BIW on Washington St
- .3 Turn right on South St
- .5 Left on High St
- Immediate right onto Richardson
- .9 Left onto State Road
- 3.0 Mobil gas station on right (break stop)
- 5.8 Brunswick Landing on left (Lunch stop)
- 7.8 Veer right into downtown on Maine St (cross street)
- 8.2 Tontine Mall on right
- 8.5 Flashing yellow light/ cross to other side of street and walk to Bowdoin College
- 9.0 Chamberlain statue at Bowdoin on left
- 9.2 Right on McKeen St
- 9.3 Stop at 21 McKeen St on left
- Pot luck supper at Sternlieb home at 6:00 pm
- Home stays in Brunswick
- Host: Selma Sternlieb 725-7675

Day 10 (Brunswick to Freeport) Sunday, October 18
- Meet at Chamberlain Statue at Bowdoin College 9:00 am – walk thru college
- .1 Right on McKeen St
- 1.4 Left onto Church Rd
- 1.5 Right on Greenwood Rd (right after Hammond Lumber)
- 2.4 Turn right at rise in road
- 2.5 Left onto Durham Road – US Hwy 1
- 2.9 Hot dog stand on left (Break)
- 4.1 Ray Labbe & Sons on left
- 4.6 Country Inn on left (Lunch spot)
- 6.1 Maine Idyll Motor Court on right (Break)
- 8.8 First Parish Congregation Church on left
- Pot luck supper at 6:00 pm & program
- Sleep at church
- Host: Paula O’Brien 865-6022 & Sukie Rice 318-8531 & Cheryl Avery 865-0916

Day 11 (Freeport to Portland) Monday, October 19
- Begin at First Parish Church on US 1 South at 8:30 am
- 1.1 Left on US 1South at light
- 3.1 Mandy Custard on right with shelter (Break)
- 4.3 Rest stop with toilets across from Delorme
- 6.1 Mobil gas on left in Yarmouth
- 7.4 Cumberland town line
- 9.4 Hawks Ridge on left
- 9.6 Friends School on left (Lunch spot)
- 11.7 McDonald’s on left (Break)
- 13.6 Bridge into Portland
- 14.1 Cross to right side & go straight on Veranda St
- 14.8 Cross Washington Ave go straight
- 14.9 Right on Baxter around Back Cove
- 15.5 Brick benches half way around Back Cove (break spot)
- 16.8 Stay on Baxter (cross Preble)
- 17.0 Left on Forest
- 17.3 Cross Marginal Way & then Portland St
- 17.8 Right on Congress St
- 17.9 Break at park on left
- 18.0 Left on State St
- 18.1 Church on left
- State Street Church (UCC) 159 State St
- Pot luck supper & program at 6:00 pm
- Homestays
- Host: Grace Braley 774-1995

Day 12 (Portland to Saco) Tuesday, October 20
- Meet at Monument Square on Congress Street at 8:30 am
- 0.3 Pass Congress & High Streets
- 0.5 Congress St to State St (Hwy 77 South) and turn left
- 0.7 Mercy Hospital on right
- 1.0 Over bridge into South Portland (walk on left side)
- 2.1 Right on Broadway
- 2.4 Laundromat on left
- 3.3 Amato’s on left (Break)
- 4.0 Left onto Hwy 1 by Uhaul (on left)
- 4.1 Dairy Queen on right
- 6.3 Elevation Center/Medical Clinic on right (road splits for short while)
- 7.4 Lois’ Natural Market on left (Lunch spot)
- 8.6 Scarborough Downs on right
- 9.2 Irving station on right (Break)
- 9.6 Cross salt marsh
- 11.1 Cemetery on right (Break)
- 12.0 York County/Saco line
- 14.3 Irving station on left (Break)
- 14.5 Funtown Splashtown on right
- 15.1 Silver Spring Camping on left
- 15.7 Green highway overpass
- 16.6 At road split, church on left corner at lights
- First Parish Congregation Church on corner of Beech & Maine
- Pot luck supper and program
- Home stays
- Host: Tom Kircher 282-7530

Day 13 (Saco to Kennebunk) Wednesday, Oct 21
- Meet at First Parish church corner Beech & Main at 9:00 am
- Resume walking on Rt 9 south to Biddeford
- .6 miles over bridge to Biddeford
- Thru downtown (stop following Rt 9) stay on Main St
- 1.1 Left at light (Junction Hwy 1) on Elm St
- 2.2 Burger King on left (Break spot)
- 3.1 Another cemetery on left
- 4.0 Shell station on left (Break)
- 5.7 All Safe storage on left
- 6.6 Arundel Slacktide Café on left (Lunch spot)
- 8.0 Citgo on right
- 8.3 Kennebunk town sign on right
- 9.0 McDonald’s on left (Break spot)
- 9.6 Downtown Kennebunk
- 10.1 New School (38 York Street)
- Pot luck supper & sleep at school
- Host: Olive Hight 207-590-9505

Day 14 (Kennebunk to York Beach) Thursday, October 22
- Continue from New School on US 1 South at 8:30 am
- 1.7 Johnson Hall Museum on left
- 3.0 Big Daddy’s Ice Cream on left (Break)
- 4.5 Cumberland Farms on left
- 5.8 McDonald’s on right (Break)
- 7.3 Sunoco & Dunkin Doughnuts on left
- 9.0 Lobster Pound Restaurant on left (Lunch spot)
- 11.8 Elks Lodge on right
- 13.9 Left on Rt 1A, Cape Neddick Rd
- 14.8 Bear right on Main St
- 15.0 Left on Atlantic Ave
- 15.2 Left on Freeman St (Green house 2nd on the left)
- York Beach (52 Freeman St)
- Supper & sleeping spot
- Host: Pat Scanlon 978-474-9195 & Smedley Butler Brigade of Boston-area VFP

Day 15 (York to Portsmouth) Friday, October 23
- Resume walk from house taking right on Freeman St at 9:00 am
- .2 Left on Hwy 1A
- Bear right into town and then left
- .6 Right at stop sign south on Hwy 1A
- 2.2 Sunrise Motel on right
- 3.5 Trinity Episcopal Church on right (break)
- 4.7 Thru York village
- 5.6 Left onto Hwy 1 South
- 5.9 Irving station on right (break)
- 7.1 Goodrich Park on right (Lunch spot)
- 9.2 Sunoco station on right
- 9.9 Burger King on left (break)
- 10.2 Kittery Trading Post on right
- Cross Rt 1 at traffic Light/Wilson Rd (Rt 101) intersection
- 10.6 At the traffic circle, continue straight onto State Rd (still Rt 1)
- (Drivers take By-pass to Portsmouth)
- Walkers take left on Bridge St just before bridge
- At fork, stay right on Government St
- Go thru village & pass thru light on Wentworth St
- Right on Wipple Rd (Hwy 103)
- Right at first major stop sign (Shapleigh Rd)
- Shipyard gate #2 on right
- 12.7 Cross Memorial Bridge to NH
- 13.0 Sharp right on Marcy St after getting off the Memorial Bridge
- 13.2 Prospect Park
- Supper and program at St. John’s Episcopal Church (100 Chapel St) at 6:00 pm
- Homestays needed
- Host: Doug Bogen 603-617-6243

Day 16 (Finale in Portsmouth) Saturday, October 24
- United Nations Day
- Meet at Market Square 10:00 am
- Walk thru downtown with Leftist Marching Band and back over bridge to Kittery
- Rally & speakers at shipyard gate (deliver letter)
- Walk back to Market Square for final closing circle around noon
- Host: Doug Bogen 603-617-6243

School Visits along the walk route
- Friends School Rt 1 in Cumberland (Sukie Rice contact) (Oct 19)
- New School in Kennebunk (Oct 21)