New pole at Granby Memorial High School symbolizes peace

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By John R. Nieb

​ The Peace Pole is a recent addition to Granby Memorial High School property to symbolize world peace. It is a hand-crafted monument displaying the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” on each of its sides. Some Peace Poles have four sides while others have eight sides. The message is usually in different languages.
“There are tens of thousands of Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments of peace,” said Bruno Longhi, a 2016 graduate of Granby Memorial High School.
Peace Poles can be found on the Allenby Bridge between Israel and Jordan. People can find 84 Peace Poles at the Peace Park to commemorate the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, at the War Museum in Vietnam, and at Robben Island in South Africa. Peace Poles can also be found where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, at the Pyramids at El Giza in Egypt, at the site of the baptism of Jesus at Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan, and at schools, churches, synagogues, mosques and temples across the United States and around the world.

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New pole at Granby Memorial High School symbolizes peace

When Longhi came across a Peace Pole booth at a music festival he attended, he talked to the people and he really liked the idea of creating one. Longhi sold t-shirts to raise money. Once he raised the money that he needed to buy the pole, he chose a date to have the ceremony and put it in the ground.
On June 6, 2016, a ceremony at Granby Memorial High School dedicated the Peace Pole to the school. Friends and family of the Longhi family and the administration of Granby Memorial High School attended the ceremony.
The Peace Pole is located behind Granby Memorial High School by Granby Memorial Middle School.
“I’m a strong believer that world peace is achievable. When I first heard of this project I was inspired to share this idea wih others,” Longhi said. “I love the message of “May Peace Prevail on Earth” because it only stands for good.”
Longhi said that the Peace Pole is a constant reminder that peace is achievable.