The Rotary Club of Woodstock is proud to join a growing worldwide movement by installing a Peace Pole at Rotary Triangle, the small parcel of land our club maintains for the City of Woodstock at the intersection of McHenry Avenue, Madison Street, and Newell Street.
The pole bears the simple but powerful message, "May Peace Prevail on Earth," displayed in four languages that reflect our community: English, Spanish, Polish, and Tagalog. As a permanent symbol of hope, understanding, and unity, the Peace Pole will complement our existing Rotary sign and serve as a reminder of Rotary's commitment to building peace both locally and around the world.
Our project is part of an ambitious initiative by Rotary District 6440 to establish 125 Peace Poles throughout northern Illinois by 2030, when Rotary International celebrates its 125th anniversary at the Rotary International Convention in Chicago. The Rotary Club of Woodstock was one of only twelve clubs selected to receive district reimbursement funding for a Peace Pole, reducing our club's cost from $300 to just $50. We are grateful to District 6440 for helping make this meaningful project possible and to Rotarians Tom Nierman (permit) and Joe McDonough (language choices) for helping me move the project forward. Thanks to Laura Cullotta for pushing me to do this as part of my Community Service role and to Marlene Frisbie who knew where the money was hiding. All that's left, pretty much, is to find a few post hole diggers that are free on a nice summer morning. After that we can gather on the triangle for a dedication and group photo.
The Peace Pole movement began in Japan in 1955 following the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and has since spread to more than 250,000 locations around the world. Today, Peace Poles can be found at schools, parks, places of worship, government buildings, and Rotary locations across the globe, including Rotary International headquarters in Evanston. Closer to home, visitors may recognize the Peace Pole displayed at the Blue Lotus Temple just south of the Woodstock Square. We look forward to adding Woodstock's Rotary Triangle to this worldwide network of places dedicated to the simple belief that peace begins in our own communities and that, together, we can help ensure that peace prevails on Earth.
Scott Brix