To commemorate World Peace Day on September 21, the team behind the Ela Peace Project (EPP) presented Illinois’ tallest peace pole as a gift to Ela Township. It was a project three years in the making.
The idea of a peace pole started in Japan following World War II. Peace poles have since spread all over the world. Ela’s stainless-steel structure is 15 feet tall with laser inscriptions of the word “Peace” in each of the 60 languages spoken in SW Lake County. The peace pole is secured to a concrete pad, lighted from within, and looks stunning at night. It is meant to celebrate the diversity of our community and welcome members with love and acceptance.
The rain held off on the warm fall evening of its official dedication that included handmade peace flags and a large crowd of community members of all ages, including Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton and Illinois State Representative Nabeela Syed.
Before the official presentation, community members were encouraged to write down their hopes for the future to be sealed in a time capsule not to be opened until World Peace Day in 2073.
EPP Co-founder Shari Gullo explained what the peace pole means to her. “Our community benefits from a visual reminder that we are a diverse community and that everyone belongs here regardless of the language they speak, the color of their skin, or any other quality they embody.” Gullo continued, “For me, and I’m sure our entire team would agree, the peace pole is not only about peace, but ultimately about love.”
Gullo worked closely with co-founder Pamela Self, Cathy McCauley, and Alicia Timm. During the presentation, several members of the team offered their perspectives on the peace pole.
Self, a landscape architect, designed the pole. She shared a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson, author of “Treasure Island,” who as a boy, saw lamp lighters illuminating streetlights and by doing so “punching a hole in the darkness.” She hoped the Ela Peace Pole would do the same here.
McCauley added: “Every community needs reminders of peace. Every community needs people who are willing to work together to accomplish something good. Every community needs a peace pole. It was a labor of love.”
In accepting the gift on behalf of Ela Township, Supervisor Gloria Palmblad echoed the engraving on the pole itself saying, “May peace on earth prevail.”
The evening ended with a festive rendition of the Hokey Pokey. Indeed, peace is what it’s all about.
Visit the Ela Peace Pole at 95 E. Main Street in downtown Lake Zurich. According to WorldPeace.org, the founders of the original Peace Pole Project, there are an estimated 250,000 peace poles in 180 countries around the world.
“Every community needs reminders of peace. Every community needs people who are willing to work together to accomplish something good." - Cathy McCauley
