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By Harry Kane
Hometown Weekly Reporter
An International Day of Peace is observed every year on September 21 to commemorate the tireless efforts for world peace and continue the quest for harmony through public awareness and education.
In the town of Walpole, one woman’s quest for peace begins with making origami cranes and handing them out to anyone she comes in contact with.
Ora McGuire, a volunteer receptionist at the Walpole Senior Center, spoke at the Storytelling For All monthly meeting last Tuesday, September 13, about the need for peace.
“What the hell are we doing? Let’s do something for people,” said McGuire.
The crane is the symbol of longevity, good health and peace, she explained.
It all began for McGuire when she read a book about the Peace Crane Movement, which started in Japan after a young girl became sick following the atomic bomb dropping.
Apparently, in an effort to save the young girl, her hospital roommate embraced an ancient Japanese legend, which promises eternal good luck, granted by the gods, if a thousand origami paper cranes are folded.
The legend of the peace crane was not enough to help the patient recover from her illness, but as a result, the Peace Crane Movement was born and out of it came true followers like McGuire.
And for the past 15 years, McGuire has been a member of the Peace Crane Movement.
In recent years, McGuire taught students how to make peace cranes at the Blessed Sacrament Elementary School.
She’s been speaking on behalf of the movement to the kids, saying: “Peace is about kindness and love, generosity and being good to your fellow man.”
It’s empowering for McGuire to teach kids about the significance of peace cranes and pass on the knowledge to the younger generations.
Many moons ago, McGuire was a language teacher and had twice been awarded the Indiana State teacher of the year, so she is no stranger to teaching.
“Holy moly, it took me months and months and months [to learn origami],” she said. “I said I’m going to master this….it took me forever.”
And so, McGuire continues her mission to spread the word about peace, making cranes for anyone she comes in contact with and teaching the trade to those curious ones who want to learn how to make an origami crane.
