Stonewalk

Peace stone to arrive in city Friday

By SZYMON TWAROG , Middletown Press Staff 08/12/2004

MIDDLETOWN -- A stone symbolizing all the unknown civilian casualties of war and terrorism will make a stop in the city on Friday during its trip from Boston to New York.

"In moving this stone, we symbolize our desire to move mountains for the cause of peace, no matter how difficult," a press release from September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, which is sponsoring the walk, said. "Together we can move mountains."

The walk is symbolic as it links the two cities involved with the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks: Boston, the city where the planes originated, and New York, the city where they crashed, according to the press release.

Peaceful Tomorrows is an organization representing more than 125 family members of the Sept. 11 victims who are using their grief as motivation for peace.

Dan Jones, a member of Peaceful Tomorrows, heard of the stone when it originally traveled from Massachusetts to Arlington National Cemetery, and thought it would be a great idea for his organization.

"A lot of people at Peaceful Tomorrows heard of the stone and its journey to Arlington and we all thought it was a great idea," said Jones. "We forgot about it for a little while, but I brought it up again because I thought Peaceful Tomorrows should be involved."

Jones is one of five members that will walk with the stone all the way from Boston to New York and was in Marlborough Wednesday afternoon.

"It’s been just a great experience. It’s been very emotional," said Jones, "The physical labor involved with moving the stone is so emotional, knowing we’re doing it for all those lost."

The group fluctuates in size depending on where they are, but Jones said the walk has drawn great community support from almost every area they have visited.

"People just see us, stop to see what’s going on and then they join us," said Jones. "Today (Wednesday) we had a couple of people that helped us all day. It’s been a great group and community effort."

Weather has also been very cooperative, with storms just missing the group during the hours they walk.

"We’ve been pretty lucky so far," said Jones. "It looks like it’s gonna rain a little bit now, but were done walking for the day, so we just missed it. The weather has been really good to us."

The stone originated from Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Mass. and weighs more than 1,400 pounds. It is being carried in a special cart and has the words "unknown civilians killed in war" engraved on top of it.

The journey of the stone began at the Boston Social Forum on July 25 and it should arrive in New York near the end of the month. Final plans have still not been made for New York, according to Jones.

When the stone finally reaches New York it will be reunited with another war memorial that came through Middletown -- the boots exhibit of Eyes Wide Open.

"When we were in Boston the Eyes Wide Open exhibit was being put on there and when, we reach New York,the two will be reunited," said Jones, "The stone will be there and the boots will be there, side by side."

In Middletown the stone will be greeted as it crosses the Arrigoni Bridge from Portland. The stone will then proceed to South Congregational Church, where Mayor Domenique Thornton will host a special welcoming ceremony.

To contact Szymon Twarog, call (860) 347-3331 ext. 220 or e-mail stwarog@middletownpress.com.