LET THERE BE PEACE 
Roscommon Rotary members gathered for the dedication of a new peace pole, located at Hiawatha Park, Aug. 27. Pictured are (front row, left to right) President Jim Anderson, Jackie Bertsch, Barb Costello, Don Gardey, Megan Coleman, Sue Lantzsch, Jim Thorburn, (back row) Fred Walsh, Steven McMillan, Ron Alden, Village of Roscommon Manager Jason Hillier, Roy Spangler, Shawn Petri, Alice Fursentau and Tom O’Brien. Not pictured is Rotary Vice President Todd Jansen. □(Photo by Cheryl Holladay)
In keeping with Rotary International’s focus on peacebuilding and conflict resolution, Roscommon Rotary members gathered for a dedication of a peace pole at Hiawatha Park Aug. 27.
Roscommon Rotary President Jim Anderson said the pole is part of an international project. There are currently more than 250,000 peace poles around the world, he said.
He said he and fellow Rotarian Ron Alden had attended a District 6290 Peace Walk event in Sault Ste. Marie June 27.
The event included a walk across the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge that leads to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
“It was a really cool event,” Anderson said.
He bought a peace pole there and brought it back to Roscommon.
The concept originated in 1955 with Masahisa Goi in Japan, following World War II, after witnessing the devastation caused by the war and the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he said. “Masahisa Goi dedicated himself to service to humanity and to the attainment of global peace and harmony,” he said.
Peace poles carry the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in several languages of the world.
Rotary International’s areas of focus include peacebuilding and conflict resolution, Anderson said, and the current International President Yinka Babalola’s message is to “create a lasting impact.”
“This pole will hopefully do both,” he said.
Anderson said Rotary International’s “ideal of service” is based on five avenues of service: Club, vocational, community, international and new generations (youth services). The mission of Rotary
International is to provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, good will and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders, he said.
Rotary’s guiding principles include the Four-way Test (truth, fairness, good will and friendship) and the club’s commitment to Service Above Self.
He recited the song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller.
“I think this is a great tribute to what we do as a club,” Anderson said. “Hopefully, people will be inspired by it.”
Anderson thanked the Village of Roscommon Department of Public Works for installing the pole. He said, over time, flowers may be added to the base of the pole.
By Cheryl Holladay