Rockport Rotary Club hosted a Peace Exchange group from Russia for the day on October 8, 2019. The group is part of a Peace Friendship Exchange under the auspices and guidelines of the Russia-United States lntercountry Committee (ICC). The hosting Rotary districts are South Texas 5930 and District 5020 in Washington State with an assist from the Houston District 5890.
They spent the day in Rockport and Fulton. Activities included a meal at Paradise Key, visits to the Texas Maritime Museum and Rockport-Fulton Visitor Center, shopping time on Austin Street, and a dinner hosted by the Rockport Rotary Club at the Rockport Beach Park. A signature event that was a highlight was the planting of a Peace Pole at the Aransas Pathways Pavilion area.The Rotary District represented by the Russian delegation made donations to the cause of humanitarian needs in response to Hurricane Harvey impact in Rockport and Fulton.
There will be seven visiting Russians, additional persons (our leaders, translators, and other participants) and local Rotarians.
We come together today to dedicate this Peace Pole and now one of more than 200,000 in 180 countries. This idea began with Mr. Masahisa Goi after World War II and the dropping of the atomic bombs. Mr. Goi came to understand that words, thoughts, and intentions carry energy strong enough to influence the destiny of all living beings and by speaking, acting, and living in the spirit of the prayer, May Peace Prevail on Earth, the energy field of love and harmony would radiate forth to all of creation.
A Peace Pole is an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. The nine languages on the pole unite us around the world.
Planting a Peace Pole is a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness the world over. Peace Poles are now recognized as the most prominent international symbol and monument to peace. They remind us to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony. Stand as a silent visual for peace to prevail on earth.
Peace Poles have been placed in such notable locations as the North Magnetic Pole, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the site of the Egyptian Pyramids in Giza, the Aiki Shrine in Iwama, Japan, the Pentagon, and World Trade Center. South Texas locations include TAMU-CC, Calallen High School, Woodsboro, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, and Laredo.
This Peace Pole has been gifted to the communities of Rockport, Fulton and Aransas County by Past District Governor Andy Hagan and District 5930. We dedicate it today in the spirit of peace along with the Rotarians visiting from Russia on a Peace Exchange.