Our West Georgia community became captivated by a dozen Buddhist monks and their dog, walking from Texas to Washington DC to promote peace. Their march, the reaction, and how Americans feel about peace around the world, are all anyone seems to be talking about this holiday season, from Christmas to New Year’s.

This Walk for Peace heading throughout the Southeast United States has led to an unprecedented outpouring of support along their nearly 2,500 mile journey from Fort Worth to Washington, DC, along with their plucky pooch Aloka. I got to see the crowds gather for the monks at a Baptist church in LaGrange. I’ve read tales of city officials greeting them, police escorts, and other leaders and members of all kinds of faiths coming to see them on this special march. The Facebook posts from friends have warmed my heart.

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. His views are his own. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange.edu or on “X” at @johntures2. His first book “Branded” a thriller novel, has been published by the Huntsville Independent Press (https://www.huntsvilleindependent.com/product-page/branded).