The Wachusett Area Rotary Club, together with The Common Good Alliance of Central Massachusetts, is proud to announce the installation of a Peace Pole at the Sterling Town Common and invites the community to attend a dedication ceremony on Sunday, August 9 at 11:30 a.m.
The Peace Pole is a permanent gift to the community and a symbol of the shared hope for peace among all people. The dedication ceremony will bring together residents, local leaders, and Rotary members to celebrate peace, understanding, and community connection.
Inscribed with the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages, the Sterling Peace Pole reflects Rotary’s commitment to fostering international understanding, Service Above Self, and stronger communities.
The languages selected for the pole were chosen to reflect both local history and the diversity of the broader Wachusett region:
- English
- French, recognizing the passage of the Marquis de Lafayette through Sterling during his 1824–1825 farewell tour of the United States
- Spanish
- Haitian Creole, honoring immigrant neighbors in the local area
- Portuguese, reflecting the strong Brazilian communities in neighboring towns
- Hebrew
- Arabic
- Japanese, representing the broader Asian community
The installation is part of The Peace Pole Project of May Peace Prevail On Earth International, a global movement that encourages communities to come together in the spirit of peace. With more than 200,000 Peace Poles planted around the world, the project's monuments serve as enduring symbols of hope, unity, and humanity’s shared desire for a more peaceful future.
"We are honored to bring this symbol of peace to Sterling," said Richard Traina, organizer of the project from the Wachusett Area Rotary Club. “The Peace Pole serves as a visible reminder that peace begins within each of us and grows through our actions in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.”
The dedication will take place on the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan. The date was chosen intentionally to underscore the Peace Pole's message of hope and to remember the devastating consequences of war while reaffirming a shared commitment to peace.
The dedication ceremony will include remarks from both Rotary and Common Good Alliance representatives, local officials, and community leaders. Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate in this special event celebrating peace, friendship, and community spirit.
Event Details
What: Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony
When: Sunday, August 9, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Sterling Town Common, Sterling, Massachusetts
When: Sunday, August 9, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Sterling Town Common, Sterling, Massachusetts
The event is free and open to the public.
Interested in Making a Difference?
The Peace Pole reflects a simple idea: positive change begins when people come together with a shared purpose. That's the spirit that guides the Wachusett Area Rotary Club.
Our members work throughout Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, and West Boylston to support local communities through service projects, scholarships, humanitarian initiatives, and efforts that make a lasting difference both locally and around the world.
If you'd like to be part of that work, we'd love to meet you. Join us any Friday at 7:15 a.m. in the Community Room of the Holden Municipal Light Department and learn more about Rotary in the Wachusett area.