MIDDLEBORO — A new addition to the grounds of the Middleboro Unitarian Universalist Church reflects a message of peace.

That message is greatly needed for all, according to representatives of the Middleboro Rotary Club, who gifted the pole. The peace pole was dedicated Sept. 15.

The pole represents a sentinel of good will. Its four sides bear the message: “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Each word is etched in eight different languages, including Braille and Sign, as an enduring plea of hope. 

Members of the Rotary Club, including District Governor Joel Kopke and Assistant District Governor Kevin “Quack’’ Quackenbush, Rev. Beau Rivers and members of the Middleboro Unitarian Universalist Church and Middleboro Veterans Officer Stephen Adelman joined together in unity for the dedication.

After a blessing from Rivers, Quackenbush explained the story of the peace pole, which originated in Japan in 1955. Since then, more than 250,000 peace poles have been adopted in more than 200 countries. and has since been adopted in more than 

The donation wasn’t simply the peace pole itself, Quackenbush said, but was also a commitment to dialogue over discord, compassion over conflict. The pole, he said, stands as a promise that, “in our small town, amidst the bustle of daily life, peace would find its home and ripple outward, touching hearts, healing wounds, locally, nationally and globally.’’