Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta Dominic Morataya, 15, of Howland, plays taps during the Howland Rotary Club peace pole dedication ceremony Friday at Richard E. Orwig Park in Howland.

HOWLAND — While America celebrated the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence from England and subsequent battle to be free, a reminder of the country’s prosperous times when it’s not at war occurred when the Howland Rotary Club unveiled the installation and dedication of a peace pole Friday evening at Richard E. Orwig Park.

The event also featured Canfield musician James Margiotta performing acoustic numbers at the gazebo, four food trucks featuring barbecue, Greek, chicken and sausage sandwiches and French fries.

“It’s helping people realize that the world…everyone can be peaceful. Borders should be torn down. They should just be lines, and everyone should get along with everyone else. That is what we’re trying to do with the rotary,” Howland Rotary Club President Gary Lehman said.

The pole and establishment of a Peacebuilder Club earlier this year brought the local rotary in alignment with other cities.

“Peacebuilder Clubs are smaller clubs within Rotary Clubs that commit to advancing peace, conflict prevention and resolution, formally recognized by Rotary International through the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP),” explained Angel Williams, Howland Rotary member and cochair, along with Jennifer Engle, of the township’s Peacebuilder Club.

Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations globally, with over 1.2 million members in more than 46,000 clubs across the world.

“All of the (rotary) clubs all over the world have a Peace Builder Club within the Rotary Club, and we want to be at 100%, especially in our district,” Williams said.

She pointed out that she’s only been a member of the Howland Rotary for a year, but she wanted to make an impact.

“We didn’t have one yet, and I thought that that would be a great project for me as a new person,” she said.

During the ceremony, Lehman led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

In his opening remarks, he said, “The rotary motto is ‘Service above self,'”

Attached to that motto is the Four-Way Test, a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Lehman moved on to discuss the Peace builder Club and referencing the day’s dedication. “Imagine a world without fear where every neighbor greets another with kind p, but powerful step, towards that vision.”

Following brief speeches by Howland trustees Frank Dillon, James Lapolla Jr., Williams and Engle, the peace pole was unveiled. It has attached to its four sides the words “May Peace Prevail On Earth” written in English, Italian, Spanish and Chinese.

Lehman, representing the Howland Rotary, worked in partnership with Howland Township Administrator James Pantalone on the project.

Then, trumpeter Dominic Morataya, 15, of Howland played taps.

“It’s a big project with the rotary clubs internationally,” Lehman said. “Monsignor Robert Siffrin from Youngstown is the head of the peace pole project. So, we were able to get that this year.”

Siffrin, the rector of St. Columba Cathedral, leads a rotary campaign to install peace poles across the area as reminders of peace and nonviolence in the community.

“The Youngstown Rotary had their peace pole installation last fall 2025,” Williams said. “All the rotaries around the world are participating in World Peace, having peace pole installations, and taking on peace promoting projects. Most major cities everywhere should have an active rotary and anyone that wants to give back in positive ways can join.”