Times call for Unity “We” Plant Peace Poles, Jacksonville Beach Metropolitan, Florida, USA
Announcement, February 19, 2026
“May Peace Prevail On Earth.” Those are the words inscribed on several Peace Poles being dedicated in beach areas throughout Jacksonville this Saturday, Feb. 21. These Rotary “Peace Poles” will join more than 250,000 others around the world. The goal: to promote peace-building and conflict resolution over violence and arguing.
“In a world that can often feel busy and divided, these Peace Poles stand as a hopeful reminder of the strength found in coming together. Peace begins close to home, grows through service and endures when a community chooses compassion, connection and care,” said Grace Allen, president 2025-26 Rotary Club of Jacksonville Oceanside.
Rotary is a non-political, non-religious international humanitarian organization with more than a million members worldwide. Jacksonville is home to some of the oldest and strongest Rotary clubs in the country. With the assistance of Jacksonville-Oceanside’s parent Rotary District 6970 and that of Rotary International. The dedications align with February’s Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month, when Rotary clubs worldwide highlight the importance of resolving differences through dialogue rather than division. The club will dedicate each of the Peace Poles in different Beaches communities and conclude with a reception at the Beaches Museum. The schedule and locations are as follows:
- 9:15 to 9:40 a.m. Atlantic Beach Peace Pole Dedication at Russell Park, 1620 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach (near the tennis courts on Seminole Road)
- 10 to 10:25 a.m. Neptune Beach Peace Pole Dedication at BASIL Park, 1348 5th St. West, Neptune Beach (across from Beaches Chapel School)
- 11 to 11:30 a.m. Jacksonville Beach Peace Pole Dedication at Beaches Museum, 381 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach (followed by refreshments)
Mayor Chris Hoffman of Jacksonville Beach and Mayor Curtis Ford of Atlantic Beach (both are members of Jacksonville-Oceanside Rotary) are expected to attend the ceremonies. Members of the community are invited to attend any portion of the morning’s events as well.
Other expected attendees include:
- Distinguished Jacksonville Oceanside members — Club Past President Mary Stutts, Past District 6970 Gov. Jeff Michelman, Partnering For Peace-Rotary/PeaceCorps alliance, Board President Rosemary Takacs.
- Distinguished District members — Rotary District 6970 Gov. Dale Moe, District Gov. Nominee Ed Lombard from Neptune Beach and Rotary International Board Director-Elect, Marshall Butler, and Cynde Covington, Trustee-Elect of The Rotary Foundation.