WELLINGTON PROCLAIMED A PEACE COMMUNITY
The Village of Wellington Council proclaimed that Wellington would be recognized as a “Peace Community.”
This proclamation, made in conjunction with the Wellington Rotary Club, was made initially in 2009 and the Rotary Club has since then continued to move forward with various initiatives which include the planting of a Peace Pole, the sale of flags of the world and contests at the area schools and scout organizations with the aim of promoting World Peace, multicultural understanding and conflict resolution.
The Peace Pole is an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of many people worldwide of a planet without conflict and of the wish for multicultural understanding. This is a non-political, non-religious concept with peace and understanding as its precept. The Peace Poles are multisided eight feet tall structures, usually of wood. The words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in various languages are on each of the sides. The Wellington Peace Pole, which is in the 14.5 acre Wellington Rotary Peace Park on Royal Fern Drive, is an eight-sided structure with the peace message in English, Spanish, Japanese, Hebrew, Hindi, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.
There are over 250,000 Peace Poles in countries throughout the world and can be found at such diverse locations as the Pyramids at Giza in Egypt, the Allenby Bridge between Israel and Jordan, Robbin Island in South Africa (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) and at the site of the baptism of Jesus in Bethany. The majority, however, are to be found in less historic places such as churches, parks and gardens, office buildings and at companies and organizations in most cities and towns throughout the world. The Wellington Rotary Club is engaged in a major effort to bring more Peace Poles into our community and would like to encourage local individuals, organizations and businesses to sponsor their own Peace Pole. The poles can be planted outside or in a stand for placement inside a building. The poles are handcrafted to the buyers’ requirements, and it is suggested that a dedication ceremony be held to unveil each pole. The Wellington Rotary Club will provide all of the information regarding the purchase of the pole and guidelines for the dedication ceremony.
It would be wonderful to see Peace Poles being erected throughout the community and the area so that annual events such as the U.N. World Peace Day (held each year on September 21st) would see members of families, clubs, churches, companies and other organizations taking a few moments to join together at their Peace Pole to wish for Peace and Understanding throughout the World, and would stand throughout the year as a reminder of that commitment.
For details regarding all aspects of the purchase of a Peace Pole please contact Karen Hardin, Chairperson of the Wellington Rotary Peace Pole Planting Initiative (561-333-8709 or KJHSEDONA@AOL.com).
“May Peace Prevail on Earth”
Writer: Larry Kemp
Co-Chair
Wellington Rotary Peace Initiative