Let Us Have Peace
Global Peacemaking - Ulysses S. Grant as Global Peacemaker, and 61 Years of an American treasure, the Peace Corps
Sunday, September 18 at 2:00 PM
*Should inclement weather cause this outdoor event to be postponed, we will update you via this page & facebook* (Bug spray & lawn chairs recommended)
- A Tribute to US Grant and The Peace Corps; Peacebuilders at Home and Abroad -
International Day of Peace, Grant as a peacemaker, and the mission of the Peace Corps as it enters its seventh decade of service!
Join us at Grant Cottage , "under the tent", as Cottage volunteer, historian and Grant reenactor, Steve Trimm, joins special guests Former Congressman Chris Gibson and Returned Volunteers of the Peace Corps, as we re-visit Grant as Peacebuilder and Public Servant, in his post military years.
~ Former Congressman Chris Gibson, himself a highly decorated military veteran, will speak to the impact and relationship, that military service has on inspiring a life of public service and peacebuilding.
~ Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will share personal stories of relationship building and collaboration, as essential foundational ingredients for hopefulness, opportunity and peacefulness, in diverse cultures and settings.
~ Popular Adirondack folksinger and songwriter, Dan Berggren will open and close the event, with songs that inspire the peacemaker that dwells, within each of us.
Ulysses S. Grant had a presidential campaign slogan in 1868, “Let Us Have Peace.” His slogan was certainly rooted in his Civil War experiences, but after eight years as President he traveled the world as an ambassador, and at times, a mediator for the cause of peace among people and nations. In his way, Grant was an effective advocate of global peacemaking to citizens of the United States.
In 1961, a different kind of army was organized in an innovative and bold move by President John F. Kennedy’s administration to promote global peace, namely the Peace Corps. Peace Corps volunteers, as diverse as the countries they are of service to, are hard at work in countries across the globe. In the spirit of U.S. Grant’s commitment to peace-making, Grant Cottage wishes to honor and express our gratitude for the often-unheralded service of Peace Corps volunteers.
“Let us have Peace” was much more than a Presidential campaign slogan for Ulysses S Grant. It was imbedded in his beliefs and ultimately, in his character and actions. Grant through his military service, Presidential years, and post Presidential years, worked tirelessly, integrating conscience with relationships, collaboration and action, encouraging societies to be more just and peaceful.
The ”Let us have Peace” program will include Grant re-enactor and Living Historian Steve Trimm on Ulysses S. Grant as Peacebuilder; explore the impact that military combat experience has on the personal drive for public service and peacemaking with Former Congressman, current President of Siena College, and decorated Military Veteran Chris Gibson; and a video greeting and tribute from former Congressman Joseph Kennedy III, himself a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and grandnephew of both JFK and Sargent Shriver, both of whom, were decorated military veterans, and founding visionaries of the Peace Corps, in 1961.
This presentation will inform the audience on the mission of the Peace Corps through personal storytelling by Peace Corps Representatives, and highlight the sensitivities and wisdom gained by Peace Corps volunteers which mature into collaborative and enduring relationships that help assure the foundation for peace, amongst people of diverse cultures, beliefs and ideologies.
Please join us on the Grounds of Grant Cottage from 2:00-4:15 pm, for Let Us Have Peace: Global Peacemaking - Ulysses S. Grant as Global Peacemaker, and 61 Years of an American treasure, the Peace Corps, to be educated & inspired!
~Sponsored by Alpin Haus~
