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Nan Mahon
The Valley Hi resident
chronicles the dedication
of the peace garden.
Rose garden unfurls tidings of world peace
By Nan Mahon
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Sunday, June 8, 2003
The roses were in full bloom when the International World Peace Rose
Garden was dedicated May 16 in Capitol Park.
The flowers made a bright backdrop as high school bands played and local
politicians spoke from a makeshift stage under the trees.
Valley Hi resident David Applegate and his family were among those searching
the commemorative pillars for the name of someone they loved. For a $100
donation, Applegate had his father's name placed on one of the pillars.
In Atlanta, Pacific Palisades, Mexico City and Assisi, Italy, families honor
loved ones with similar tributes.
"Each of the five gardens in the world express a unique ambience and peace
message," said Sylvia Villalobos, who established the peace gardens with T.J.
David, founder of the nonprofit foundation International World Peace Rose
Gardens. The Atlanta garden, for example, emphasizes the civil rights movement.
The organization has been planning the Sacramento peace garden for the past
14 years.
It isn't the only tribute in Capitol Park. Established in 1869, its 40 acres
are host to several memorials, including the Civil War Veterans Memorial Grove,
established in 1897.
More recent areas of honor include the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial
and the Veterans Memorial, inclusive of servicemen and women from the
Mexican-American, Civil, Spanish-American, Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf
wars, plus World War I and II.
The newest memorial was dedicated to fallen firefighters last year.
The peace garden, adjacent to the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial, is a soothing addition when remembering all that pain. Eight hundred
rose bushes bring tranquility to those who use the walkways and benches for
reflection. Its half-acre also includes a fountain and a small pavilion.
"The veteran community was pleased with the
connection between them and world peace," said Bill McDonald, a Vietnam veteran
who operates a support group and Web site for servicemen and women and who
volunteers with International World Peace Rose Gardens. "It is a natural flow of
energy."
Lorraine Krofchok of Elk Grove, president of Grandmothers for Peace, agrees
that the garden should be near the Vietnam memorial.
"If we do not associate the horrors and devastation of war with the search
for peace, we'll never achieve peace," she said. "Every time I visit the
memorial wall, I choke up."
Krofchok took the reins of Grandmothers for Peace International after its
founder and fellow Elk Grove resident, Barbara Wiedner, died in 2001. Before her
death, Wiedner arranged to have her name and those of Krofchok and friend
Bernice Kring placed on a pillar.
"It was an extraordinary gift," Krofchok said.
The garden also is for the living, its founders say.
"It's a celebration of love," Villalobos said. "About 65 percent of the names
found there are people still alive. People bought space for newborns and for
entire families."
Plans are under way for a peace garden in Vietnam,
where land has been designated beside National Highway 1, below Chu Lai and near
Da Nang.
"I am gathering support from veterans and hope to
begin work on the garden next spring," McDonald said.
Because the idea is to focus on the good in humans, the peace garden is not
political, religious or gender-related. It is not a shrine for peacemakers or a
remembrance of war. It is a place for reflection and expression of love, say the
organization's founders.
"We are especially proud of the children's program," Villa-lobos said. "Many
school districts had students participate in the 'World Peace Begins With Me'
project, and their messages are engraved on plaques in the garden."
There is room for 700 more names on the pillars. With 160 names per plaque,
5,000 will eventually fill the space.
The garden's founders say they spend much of their time, money and energy
traveling to places to create gardens for world peace. The gardens are funded by
major sponsors, individual donations and funds from tributes.
"The rose is an ambassador of peace," Villalobos said. "We offer the garden
to the people."
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