SPRINGFIELD — To inspire peace in the community, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Springfield Rotary Club 364 unveiled an eight-foot peace pole at the Bob Keefer Center inscribed with words of peace in Springfield’s most prominent languages. The pole stands on the walkway just before the main entrance on the right.
Rotary is a global organization with around 1.4 million members. Springfield members Steve Wheeler and Rae LaMarche said that its primary focus is “to do good in the world.” Rotary follows a “service above self” model.
As part of Rotary’s mission, clubs work together on the world’s most persistent issues. Rotary focuses on seven key areas to help communities meet their needs, one of which is promoting peace.
The pole project has been underway since 2023, according to the club’s project manager, Wheeler. He got the idea from the Hood River Rotary, of which he was formerly a member.
The square post has four sides, with two messages on each side, all in a different language. “The message is the same,” said Wheeler. “It’s ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth.’”
The languages transcribing the message on the pole are the eight most prevalent ones spoken in Springfield high schools. The languages in order of prevalence are English, Spanish, Tagalog (Filipino), Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Thai, and Korean.
Bruce Milinksi, another rotary member and former school district administrator and principal, used his contacts to check with the district to find out what the most commonly spoken languages are.
“It’s an affirmation of peace,” said immediate past president LaMarche. “They’re intended to inspire unity among peoples of all cultures and backgrounds.” LaMarche has been involved with the Rotary for 15 years, during which she has helped work on things like grant projects, the Gift of Literacy program, and a human trafficking awareness campaign.
Springfield Rotary is partnering with Delta Rotary Club from Eugene and the American Red Cross to install free smoke alarms at the Shamrock Village RV Park at 4531 Franklin Blvd. in Eugene on Saturday, March 1.
