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Peace Message Resonates in Montana |
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"Peace is Patriotic," one of 121 floats in Butte, Montana’s Independence Day Parade, garnered one of the four top prizes—"Most Original Entry." BVMs and Associates were among the 15 peace groups across the state creating the 12-foot-tall Statue of Liberty. Associate Mary Kay Craig drove the vehicle pulling the 16-foot-long wagon, and Butte native Liz Olsen, BVM (Paul Thomas) marched in front of the float, greeting hundreds of friends along the way. BVMs Kathleen O’Sullivan (Donall) and Pat Perko (Vincent de Paul) and Associate George Waring also participated. The motivation for the entry, notes Mary Kay Craig, is a quote she found a decade ago: "If peace only… had the music and pageantry of war, there would be no more war." (Sophie Kerr) "The reception from parade goers was joyfully positive," said Mary Kay. "The crowds hushed at the sight of this block-long entry. Then applause would break out and groups of children would flash the V sign back to Lady Liberty and the marchers. As the entry passed the reviewing table, all ten of the parade judges gave it a standing ovation. Even weeks later people went out of their way to tell me how much they appreciated the parade entry." "This alternative entry was different," she continued. "Not only is it unusual to see a message of peace on the 4th of July, but people who were accustomed to carrying signs asking for political change provided instead a gentle reminder that nonviolence is of great value." Return
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