By Anne Creter
New Jersey Co-state Coordinator
July 7, 2008

It's hard not to expound on what a joy it was walking in our parade for peace, knowing how daring this is in our town. Those in charge, determined to uphold only traditional patriotic expression, wanted us to go away. But we stood our ground, even after a disturbing July 3rd letter to-the-editor about "some people crashing the parade for political purposes." We felt it essential this year to dare to disturb the universe to raise peace awareness, expressing our alternate patriotic truth--gently yet firmly. After all, we knew of two other NJ towns with similar "Peace is Patriotic" themes in this year's parades that were welcomed.

We were affirmed, not only by a recent articulate national "Patriotism" campaign speech, but by the current Time Magazine cover story on the New Patriotism--that expression of ALL types of patriotism makes America stronger! Note our authentic tri-corn colonial patriot hats from Independence Hall. I knew we were an important part of the Children's Parade when I saw so many young ones lovingly flash us the peace sign; it was a heartwarming and hopeful omen. We were thrilled by our rousing reception, palpably stronger than in previous years. If this is a barometer, consciousness has indeed shifted!

The grand finale was our afternoon reading of the Thomas Jefferson Peace Prayer around the Peace Pole in the park. It was an impromptu gathering which attracted more than 30 people, including the Mayor's wife and son, as well as two Councilmen! We were told there would have been even more people, if we hadn't been in competition with the greased pole climb which was still going on because the parade started late.We solemnly placed a beautiful peace rose in the Peace Pole garden after each Peace Prayer paragraph was read and ended by exclaiming in unison "MPPOE." (May peace prevail on Earth)

 

We felt fulfilled that our vision of people around the Peace Pole reflecting on peace and patriotism had finally manifested so visibly in public, an indication the culture of peace is advancing. We were moved by this democracy in action (no pun intended), freely expressing our still-so-amazingly controversial peace view.

 

Hopefully we succeeded in establishing the Peace Pole event as a non-threatening, appropriate and enhancing new 4th of July Riverton tradition that can become part of the official program next year!

Some Peace Pole committee members chose to sit it out this year, understandably not in the mood to celebrate due to the sorry state of our country. We honor their conscientiousness and we missed them. Others thoughtfully did not feel it was right on this holiday to knowingly risk provoking our antagonists. Nevertheless, an enthusiastic new group of gentle tri-borough Peace Patriots from various area faith communities (and not) emerged. We hope now to have an even bigger, more solid showing next year.

Michael R. and family added a charming dimension with their full course picnic lunch by the Peace Pole. The fact that they were the only picnickers who showed up did not diminish Mike's appetite in the least. They bravely modeled a new tradition we can look forward to do with them next year--picnic by the Peace Pole between the parade and Peace Pole event. I even captured a rare occurrence--Mike smiling in a picture. Note his newly handcrafted Peace Pole behind him, initiated that day.

With continued persistence, patience and respect, we still hope to engage our town skeptics yet! Now onto planning our official Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony on Sunday afternoon, September 21 in honor of the International Day of Peace. Denny and Courtney are hoping to have the benches done in time for it. Let me ASAP know if you want to help plan it. We will have a meeting at my house late July to get things moving.