Rotary of Monroeville to hold peace pole dedication July 31

The Rotary Club of Monroeville will be holding a dedication ceremony July 31 for the recently installed peace pole at the Monroeville Community Park West.

The rotary encourages the community to attend the free ceremony at 10 a.m. Food and drinks will be available.

The 12-foot stainless steel peace pole features the word “peace” in 37 different languages to represent the diversity in the Monroeville community. The phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” is on the side of the pole.

Monroeville Rotary President Som Sharma, chairperson of the peace pole project for the rotary, said the pole will soon serve as the centerpiece of a future peace garden that will provide a haven for members of the community to reflect, refresh and find peace.

The dedication also could feature the planting of a Hiroshima peace tree if one can be secured in time. Sharma said the trees hold significance because after the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, some trees survived despite the atomic bomb blast.

“That sends a message of hope. That’s what we want to convey with the peace pole for humanity to work in peace with nature,” he said.

Sharma said the organization will plan to plant the tree at a later date if they are unable to find one qickly enough for the dedication. Students from Gateway High School who are a part of the rotary’s Interact program will be invited to help with the planting.

The ceremony will conclude with everyone singing “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

“We want to reach as many people as possible through this dedication,” Sharma said.