May Peace Prevail on Earth

On Friday, June 26, neighbors, members, and community leaders gathered at the Albert A. Chatigny Sr. Community Recreation Center to unveil Beaumont-Cherry Valley Rotary's first Peace Pole — a new addition to Rotary's worldwide Peace Pole tradition. The pole carries the simple message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” in several languages — a quiet, lasting reminder of what Rotary stands for, planted right here in our community.

The morning drew a remarkable roster of guests. After a welcome from President Doug Emery, an invocation by Rev. Scott Mason, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Matthew Pistilli, and Rotary's Four-Way Test recited by Bruce Murrill, Foundation member Robin Knight introduced the day's speakers. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians offered a ceremony honoring the land, followed by remarks from State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez, and Beaumont Mayor Jessica Voigt.

Then came the moment everyone came for: Bruce Murrill and Matthew Pistilli — who had set the pole in place the evening before — along with Mayor Jessica Voigt, Geronimo Holmes of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and Interact Student Ammen Newwab, pulled back the cover to reveal the new Peace Pole to a round of applause. Members and Interact students kept the morning running, serving pizza and refreshments to the crowd.

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who built, planted, spoke at, and showed up for this one. A Peace Pole is a small thing and a big idea at the same time — and Beaumont has one more of them today.

A special thank-you from Doug Emery and Club Rotarians goes to Bruce Murrill and Matthew Pistilli, who went above and beyond in the successful completion of our Peace Pole Project:

From specifying the pole size, ordering, getting the pole powder coated and labelled, determining languages, buying cement and mulch, coordinating the hole being dug by the city, and then installing, framing, mixing cement, pouring the concrete, spreading mulch and so much more. WOW. We couldn’t have done it without their hard work and dedication. Thank you, gentlemen.