International Peace Garden Monument Project
March 19th, 2012Our Club has a unique opportunity to participate in the four-year celebration (2012-2016) commemorating 200 years of peace since the War of 1812 between the nations of the United States of America and Canada by replacing the original WBCCI/Brandon “Hands of Peace” sculpture that was placed in the International Peace Garden in 1975.
The original sculpture, created by artist Barry Burdeny of Canada, was a joint effort by the city of Brandon, Manitoba and the WBCCI. It was dedicated on June 27, 1975 in the International Peace Garden during the International Rally in Brandon, Manitoba. The International Peace Garden is located on the Canadian and USA border between Dunseith, North Dakota and Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. During the early beginnings of the “Hands Across the Border” program between the USA and Canada, this sculpture was a symbol of the achievement by two nations working together for peace, which should be celebrated especially in our international situations today. As of this date, the International Peace Garden’s staff has been unable to locate the original WBCCI “Hands of Peace” sculpture, as it apparently was removed several years ago due to its poor state of disrepair.
A motion intended for this project was introduced and passed unanimously by the North Dakota Peace Garden Unit of Region 7 at the Unit’s meeting on July 16, 2011, held at the Unit rally in the International Peace Garden. On July 27, 2011, at the Region 7 rally in De Pere, Wisconsin, the Region board unanimously agreed to have the Region 7 President place a motion to create a Special Committee for the International Peace Garden Monument Project on the agenda for the Mid-Winter IBT meeting to be held in January 2012 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The IBT approved the motion to form a Special Committee to proceed with this project.
Committee members representing Canada are Gail Harrower, Chair, and Chris Wells of the North Dakota Peace Garden Unit. Representing the United States are Jerry Larson, Don Thomson, and Vern Zink of the North Dakota Peace Garden Unit; Linda Agre of the Minnesota Unit; and Joan Lahr of the Wisconsin Unit. Research to replace the sculpture is progressing with final details to be completed soon. The International Peace Garden is located within Region 7 and committee members are considering staging a Special Event Rally around the dedication of the sculpture. The committee will give a progress report at the June 27, 2012 IBT meeting.
Dedication of this replacement sculpture presents an excellent public relations opportunity for our club. Dignitaries from both nations will be invited to participate in this international event of promoting peace among its peoples. In support of Wally Byam’s Creed to us all, representatives from the Airstream Company and Thor Industries will also be invited to attend the ceremony. This is a noteworthy legacy to Wally Byam, his Airstream, and his club, the WBCCI.
Funds will be raised at the region rally in Spicer, Minnesota through our region community undertaking to support this mission.
This project will be funded on donations which are fully tax deductible. The International Peace Garden (IPC) is a 501(c) (3) organization (45-0368420) in North Dakota; and a registered charity (127250181RR0001) in Manitoba. Donations, with checks payable to “International Peace Garden Inc.” either in US funds or Canadian funds can be mailed to the addresses below, OR direct deposit into the IPC bank account. Identify “WBCCI Project” on checks. Please contact Mr. Doug Hevenor, International Peace Garden CEO, for more information on direct deposits.
United States: Canada:
International Peace Garden International Peace Garden
10939 Highway 281 Box 419
Dunseith, ND 58329 Boissevain, MB R0K 0E0
701.263.4390204.534.2510 888.432.6733
701.263.3169 (fax)
888.432.6733