On September 20, the day before International Day of Peace, our Austin-Westlake Rotary Club dedicated a Rotary Peace Pole at the Laura Bush Community Library. We had an impressive line-up of speakers. Reverend Dr. Ikard from Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church led us in prayer.
Laura Bush’s personal secretary in the Bush White House, the delightful Sarah Garrison, spoke on behalf of the former First Lady. Westlake Mayor James Vaughan emphasized the importance of peace in our community, as well as Rotary’s initiatives in our community. Autumn Archers, Associate Director of the Westbank Community Libraries, addressed our collaboration and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to host the Rotary Peace Pole on their grounds. Cathy Hoover, CEO of the Westlake Chamber, spoke eloquently of Rotary’s long-standing partnership with the Chamber. A crowd composed of Rotarians, community leaders, and others celebrating peace attended.
As I gathered my thoughts in preparation for the event, I remembered a story my father told me many years ago. I shared it with the group gathered at the library: During WWII, he was on a ship headed for Japan to invade the country. Shortly before landing, they learned that the Japanese had surrendered. The war was over. As they docked in Japan, he and a buddy thought it would be fun to walk into the town. As my father recalled that time, he realized they took a tremendous chance. One that might end in their deaths at the hands of outraged Japanese citizens. Instead, the people welcomed them with open arms. The Americans and Japanese together celebrated the end of the nightmare.
Regular citizens don’t want war. We want peace, and that’s why we’re gathered today to encourage peace in our community and the world. It begins with each of us.
Peace poles started more than half a century ago in Japan following the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There are now 220,000 peace poles around the world and in every country. Rotary estimates that more than 70 million people are displaced because of conflict, violence, persecution, and human 1 rights violations, and that half of those are children. As Rotarians, we are asked not to accept conflict as a way of life.
My Dad, who went to war to help bring peace to our nation, would have been proud of our club today. I wish he had been there. I can almost hear him whispering, “Your Rotary Club did a great job, babe.” (He was a longtime member of the Lions Club.)
The Rotary Peace Pole signifies strong leadership from the Austin-Westlake Rotary Club, along with the Westbank Community Libraries, the Westlake Chamber of Commerce, and the city of Westlake. The longing for peace begins with each of us.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.