The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Couple walk state for police, veteran support
Since August, Putnam County couple walks sporting American Flag, a Trump flag and a Thin Blue Line flag.
In the grocery store, Conrad Allen heard someone call his name.
“Conrad,” the voice said, “you’re the man with the flag.”
The voice came from “a complete stranger,” said Didi, Conrad’s wife. “His name certainly got out.”
Since August, the Putnam County couple has walked through the state of Ohio sporting the American Flag, a Trump 2020 flag, and a Thin Blue Line flag, walking up to 15 to 20 miles a day. On Nov. 6, Conrad and Didi began walking from Geneva to Mentor. They plan to walk from Mentor to Cleveland the following day and then through Westlake.
Recently retired as exploration geologists working in Saudi Arabia, Conrad and Didi said they watched riots occur across the country right before they were scheduled to move back to this country.
“It’s incidental that the election is going on,” Conrad said. “We were watching our country burn. I think I was home maybe a week. Then, I just walked out the front door.”
As conf lict emerged throughout the United States with issues of social injustice and first responder support, Conrad said he knows that not every police officer is doing the job for the wrong reasons.
“I can understand wanting to prosecute police that break the law,” he said. “Everyone can understand that. The vast majority of police are good. Those are the ones I’m out here supporting.”
Conrad said he has
“walked a lot of miles through a lot of major cities or country towns” and his experience has “been
very kind.”
“When I fly the ‘Back the Blue,’ people sometimes are tearful when they come up because some people lost their lives,” he said.
Conrad believes that the country can prevail through time and work toward a goal of social equality.“This country is strong, we love each other,” he said. “I’ve covered a lot of miles and not a scratch on me.”
Conrad also said he walks in support of veterans.
“We’re obviously supporting the United States but particularly in support of our veterans,” he said. “PTSD is real. A lot of times soldiers come up and they want to talk.”
Conrad and Didi have walked through Dayton, Cincinnati, Miami Valley, Ashtabula County, and are working their way toward home in Norwalk.
Conrad said he plans to stop walking “probably before Thanksgiving” where he will then begin considering a “run for governor.”
“We’re obviously supporting the United States but particularly in support of our veterans. PTSD is real. A lot of times soldiers come up and they want to talk.” —Conrad Allen