Make peace in the world and at home, speakers at pole dedication state

MIDDLEBORO — Peace is a choice people need to actively pursue, State Rep. Norman Orrall told those in attendance Saturday, Nov. 23 at the dedication of Middleboro’s newest peace pole at Pierce playground.

“We need to make an effort to cultivate peace,’’ he said. “Allow other people to have a different viewpoint, allow people to disagree with you.’’

The pole placement is a project of the Middleboro Rotary Club, which located its first one at the Middleboro Unitarian Universalist Church and plans a third in the spring.

The four-sided structure carries the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Each word is etched in eight different languages, including Braille and Sign.

Rotary President Matt Bruce explained that the pole reminds people to “think, speak and act in the spirit of peace.’’

Poles are located throughout the world, including such notable spots as Ground Zero in New York City, Hiroshima, Japan, the Pentagon and the North and South poles.

Middleboro Veterans Agent Steve Adelman, a 33-year military veteran, said service members “want peace over anything else and in all situations.’’

Rotary Assistant District Governor Kevin “Quack’’ Quackenbush encouraged the community to find peace in the world and in their homes. 

With the holiday season approaching, he urged people to “leave the hot topics out in the yard this Thanksgiving.’’

Orrall quoted from the Bible about the importance of peace: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’’