The Riverhead Rotary Club dedicated a Peace Pole on the Peconic Riverfront Wednesday afternoon.
Riverhead Rotarians and town officials gathered at the site of the installation for the ceremony after the club’s weekly luncheon Wednesday.
The Peace Pole is “a lasting symbol of our shared hope for global harmony,” the Riverhead Rotary past president George Dupree said.
The “well-traveled Riverwalk on the Peconic River” is a perfect location, he said.
The pole is inscribed on all four sides with a simple message: “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” The message is written in the language of the country where the pole is installed, typically alongside several additional languages associated with the host community. In Riverhead, the message is also inscribed in Spanish, Polish and Ukrainian, “which reflect a portion of the rich diversity and deep roots of our Riverhead community,” Dupree said.
The message is “an affirmation of peace,” tied to Rotary’s broader goal of fostering a culture of peace, according to the Rotary Peace Poles website. More than 250,000 peace poles have been planted worldwide.
Peace poles have been installed worldwide, with “over 250,000” in every country,
Rotary International, which describes peace as “a cornerstone” of its mission, says its peace-building efforts include service projects and programs intended to address underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension and unequal access to education.
“This peace pole was beautifully crafted right here in our community by Dmitri and Daria of Darinka Signs,” Dupree said.
The Riverhead Peace Pole was dedicated in memory of longtime Riverhead Rotary Club member and past president, Mary Ellen Ellwood, who died in May. Her mother Eileen and sister, Liz, attended the ceremony.
“Mel embodied the true spirit of Rotary through her service, kindness, and unwavering generosity, her legacy of love and compassion continues to inspire us all,” Dupree said.
“May this peace pole serve as a beacon of hope for generations to come, reminding us every day that peace begins with each of us, right here at home,” he said.
Peter Blasl contributed reporting.
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