Uruguay RPCVs hold Peace Pole dedication during County Fair in Minnesota
Interesting to see what people are doing. Regards, Fellow RPCVs. Steve Stupak, Lake Oswego, Oregon
About 20 former Peace Corps members from around the country gathered outside the historic Sunnyside School at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds on Friday, Aug. 13, to hold a Peace Pole dedication ceremony.
All of the former members at the event served in Uruguay from the years 1965 to 1967, and still get together from time to time.
“We’re from all different states in the country,” said Toni Kilkenny-Williams, a former member who now lives in California. “Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Washington, Connecticut. . .”
John Eggers (Uruguay 1965-67)
As former Peace Corps member John Eggers lowered the hollow, white Peace Pole over a wooden post, he described the message of the monument. The pole reads “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in English, Ojibwe, Norwegian and Spanish, with each translation displayed vertically on the square pole’s four sides.
Former Peace Corps member John Eggers describes the languages displayed on the Peace Pole during a ceremony on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at the Beltrami County Fair. (Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer)
The message, often referred to as a “peace prayer,” stems back to 1976, when the ideals of Japanese philosopher Masahisa Goi began to gain widespread support. People began placing Goi’s message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” on posts to help bring his message to the public eye, which is where the idea of the Peace Pole originated.
Today, Peace Poles are known as internationally recognized symbols of peace. It’s estimated that more than 250,000 Peace Poles exist all over the world, spanning across every country, and dedicated in various locations as monuments of hope.
“One of the reasons I went (into the Peace Corps) was that I heard President Kennedy on his campaign trail tell about this thing of the future — the Peace Corps,” said former member Kathy Eggers (Uruguary 1965-67) on why she chose to join the Peace Corps. “When I heard that, I thought ‘I want to do that when I graduate.’”
“Best experience I’ve ever had in my life,” she remarked. “It was amazing.”
The Peace Pole, dedicated in a ceremony at the Beltrami County Fair on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, reads “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in English, Ojibwe, Spanish and Norwegian. (Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer)
Congratulations on many reunions & installing the peace pole. As a Peace Corps Uruguay 1 volunteer, it was my privilege to be on your training team at TCU in 1965. In fact, met my future wife (Marion Brown) there as she taught you Spanish. About 15 years ago, we made a return trip to Uruguay & stayed in the same home (Rohrer’s) where I lived for 2 years. There were several gatherings where we got to visit with former MJA club leaders & members. Several asked about Peggy Rosenberry who served in the same area.
Don & Marion Holec
Thanks, Don, for your comments. It has been muchos anos, which goes to show you how much the Peace Corps meant to all of us. Fondest regards, John and Kathy.
Interesting to see what people are doing. Regards, Fellow RPCVs. Steve Stupak, Lake Oawego, Oregon
Interesting to see what people are doing. Regards, Fellow RPCVs. Steve Stupak, Lake Oswego, Oregon