The Peace Pole dedication, July 21, 2012,
at Glen Elder was a fine culmination of our year-long quest to mark
Kansas' 150 years in a significant way. The SV24 Heritage Alliance
greatly appreciates the support of Glen Elder for serving as the host
site and organizing the moving dedication event.
An opening prayer was offered by Pastor
Rich Miller of the Friends Church, Glen Elder. Joan Nothern, president
of the SV24, recalled the alliance's vision of celebrating the peace
sought in the Solomon Valley through this internationally recognized
symbol proclaiming “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
Kent Anderson provided the background
story of Clarence Pickett, a key figure in the American Friends Service
Committee receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947. Pickett grew up in
Glen Elder. Linda Clover, vice-president of the alliance and Glen Elder
native, accepted the gift of the Peace Pole on behalf of the community
and reviewed the process involving community members in selecting the
eight languages on the pole.
The eight languages selected for the
four-sided Peace Pole are Czech, English, French, German, Kaw,
Norwegian, Pawnee, and Spanish. Each says “May peace prevail on Earth.”
Aaron Fowler has become a friend of the
Solomon Valley, working with youth to discover and sing about community
elders. He was a recipient of a Clarence and Lily Pickett Scholarship
for Quaker Leadership. Aaron also participated in this dedication,
acknowledging his connection to Clarence Pickett, and then singing one
of the elder songs, “My Solomon Valley.”
The dedication concluded with Alice
Thompson leading everyone in singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
The Peace Pole is located next to the
American flag in the Glen Elder park. We hope everyone will stop to see
it.
There was a good response in financial
gifts to help the SV24HA make this project possible. Heartfelt thanks
are extended to all who contributed! Gifts are still being accepted for
the Peace Pole. Please send them to our treasurer, Alan LeSage,
designating their purpose.
