Patchogue Joins Peace Project

Press release from Patchogue Medford Public Library:

September 14, 2020

(PATCHOGUE, NY, September, 14 2020) “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed
citizens can change the world: Indeed it's the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Mead
Patchogue is excited to announce that it is in the process of becoming a City of Peace. Part of this project is the planting of Peace Poles throughout our community. Planting a Peace Pole is a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness. 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, standing as a silent visual for peace to prevail on earth.

On Monday, September 21st , The Patchogue-Medford Library will celebrate World Peace Day, by planting two Peace Poles. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. COVID-19 has thrown our world into turmoil and forcibly reminded us that what happens in one part of the planet can impact people everywhere.

At 11 AM, a Peace Pole dedicated to the memory of Marcelo Lucero will be planted at the Carnegie
Library. At about 11:30 AM, a second Peace Pole, dedicated to the memory of Nina Uchida Friedberg will be placed in the rear garden at the Main Library. These Peace Poles are the first to be planted as a part of The Long Island Peace Pole Project (www.PeacePoles.info). The goal of this project, spearheaded by Pax Christi Long Island and the Rotary Clubs of Long Island, is the planting of 100 Peace Poles (www.peacepoleproject.org) in 2020-2021, the involvement of youth groups, and the creation of International Cities of Peace on Long Island (www.InternationalCItiesofPeace.org). The Library, local schools, youth groups, places of worship, and other civic organizations, including a newly created “Patchogue Peace Committee,” are working toward having Patchogue be the first community on Long Island to be recognized as an International City of Peace.

Legislator Rob Calarco has been instrumental in getting this project underway. “The symbol of the peace pole has inspired people all over the globe to become peace activists. Here in Patchogue I know this pole will serve to unite our community by inspiring us to become understanding of our differences, and united in our mission of peace. Thank you to all those who have worked so diligently to bring this beautiful project to life,” said Legislator Calarco.

When speaking with Joselo Lucero, brother of Marcelo Lucero, he expressed that we all have an
individual role to play in encouraging peace. He explained that peace is like building a house; piece by piece. You can see the results brick by brick but it takes time. If you stand back and look you can see the bigger picture, “peace by peace.” Joselo urges people to come together so that a tragedy, like his brother's death, never happens again. The peace pole at the Carnegie will serve as a reminder of this message.

This press release was produced by Patchogue Medford Public Library. The views expressed here are the author's own