Duane Hicks
Town council again has endorsed “International Peaceful Borders Day” on July 2 and Mayor Roy Avis has signed a joint letter to be sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama.
Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft noted at last night’s council meeting that Prime Minister Harper always has signed the proclamation to declare “International Peaceful Borders Day.”
He added Falls Coun. Cynthia Jacksa, who brought the letter to council, is “on her warhorse” to get U.S. President Barack Obama to do the same this year.
The letter explains that International Peaceful Borders Day “is an effort to promote the cause of the peace throughout the world by celebrating the peaceful border our countries enjoy.”
“We are all stakeholders in the cause of peace,” it reads. “Those of us living on international borders around the world are keenly aware on a day-to-day basis of the importance of peaceful borders.
“Here on our border, we are determined not to take for granted the good fortune we enjoy even while others living around the world on less peaceful borders are not so fortunate,” it adds.
The letter also noted this year marks the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of 1814 that ended the War of 1812.
Mayor Roy Avis signed the letter, which also has been signed by Falls’ Mayor Bob Anderson.
“On this 200th year of the signing of the treaty with Canada, our ancestors would be very proud of us,” said Coun. Jacksa.
Meanwhile, plans are afoot to have military reservists from the Minnesota National Guard square off against Canadian Forces personnel in this year’s “Peace Pull.”
Coun. Wiedenhoeft said he’s been in touch with Atikokan OPP Cst. Jim Davis, who also serves in the Canadian Forces reserves and who is enthusiastic about the idea of the cross-border tug-of-war.
Wheels are in motion on both sides of the border regarding the approval for the military reservists from both sides to participate, Cst. Davis had informed Coun. Wiedenhoeft.
“This has reached Washington and Ottawa already for approval,” noted Coun. Wiedenhoeft.
“It’s become a big thing—the tug between the two armies.”
This year’s “Peace Pull” will feature three contests: a community pull, a power pull, and one between the military reservists.
There also are plans afoot to have medical professionals from Windsor and Detroit in Borderland at the same time as the tug-of-war.
In the spirit of international co-operation, they will talk about how Fort Frances and International Falls might be able share certain medical services, such as the MRI machine across the river.
