On a perfect Monday night of September 21st, 2015, Soroptimist International of Fillmore hosted the International Day of Peace. The first Peace Pole was made of 4 X 4 inch posts that held Peace cranes on it. The now permanent concrete Peace Pole is located in front of City Hall, which was the gathering place for the celebration. The pole has inscribed “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in 7 different languages.

Soroptimist member Lynn Edmonds welcomed all, and gave a brief overview of how the International Day of Peace was created. The Veterans of Foreign War were proudly in attendance to honor our country with leading of the flag salute. Bardsdale Methodist Church Pastor Bethany Carpenter blessed the celebration with a prayer for Peace within our world, our country, and our community.

The City of Fillmore also recognized Soroptimist for their involvement in Peace. Mayor Pro Tem Diane McCall read a proclamation given to the Soroptimist President Jane David, representing all of the Fillmore Club.

I don’t know if you are aware that the City of Fillmore has Peace Makers that reside in the community? We proudly do! Gerald and Susan Fitzgerald are two of them. They were unable to attend, as they had another commitment. The third Peace Maker is Soroptimist member Sarah Hansen, who also spear-headed the creation of our Peace Pole. What a compliment for Fillmore, and to those three!!

We were also fortunate to have a Poet Laureate of Ventura County read a poem about Peace. Mary Kay Rummel’s poem was very inspiring.

Afterwards, the crowd of on lookers and participants of about 75, recited the Peace Builder’s Pledge, and then, accompanied by the very talented Lynn Edmonds with her violin, we sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. What a wonderful sound that was!

To finish off the evening, the City of Fillmore Fire Department helped light up the grass area of City Hall so that all in attendance could create a human Peace sign!! It was a marvelous feeling, holding hands with a friend or stranger for one purpose… PEACE!

A special thank you to Lions Club members Bill Dewey and Paul Benavidez for all of their hard work to help make the evening a Peace filled success. Thanks Gentlemen!!