Reuniting Peace

Twenty years ago this coming Saturday, May 8 the iconic Missoula Peace Sign that adorned our North Hills on a former US West (then Qwest) microwave reflector between 1983 and 2001, came down to the valley floor. Thanks to Bob Oakes, the North Missoula Community Development Center and nine volunteers, the pieces were safeguarded in the hopes of reuniting them one day. Over the years, many people have worked and donated to make that day a reality and we are beyond excited to be so very close to reuniting Missoula’s peace sign on the wall behind the Peace Center. Most of the pieces have arrived at JRPC and are waiting to be put back together over the next several months.

We started fundraising to do this at a Peace Party several years ago. This year, the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula gave us a grant to help. Today and tomorrow, you can help us raise the remaining $6000 by giving to JRPC during Missoula Gives.

We want to commemorate the history with a walk to the site of the original sign on May 8, but it’s very important that no more than 50 people are on the trail (not to mention the parking area!) and we are of course respectful of our open spaces. Some of you will really want to do this on Saturday and we welcome less than 50 of you!! Please consider carpooling or biking to the trailhead. Others can do this walk on your own on another day. Meanwhile, we hope you can join us to celebrate at noon on Sunday, May 9 at JRPC. Let’s remember the history and envision the future where a peace sign will once again bring a smile to our hearts. It’s also Mother’s Day which was inspired by an 1890 call from Julia Ward Howe to all mothers to seek peace not war so that no mother’s son should ever kill another mother’s son. Let’s recommit ourselves to this vision as we celebrate peace with refreshments, memories and a small silent auction of peace sign items.

Author | Betsy Mulligan-Dague, JRPC Director