An exercise in peace

COEUR d'ALENE - "It's a beautiful metaphor for spreading peace and harmony."

That's how Atulya Berube described the Worldwide Harmony Run, a torch-bearing global relay race that passed through Coeur d'Alene on Thursday.

Berube, of San Diego, is the relay's U.S. coordinator and team captain. He spoke to about 50 people who gathered at the Human Rights Education Institute for a reception welcoming several runners and the torch to Coeur d'Alene, one of 1,000 American cities and towns the relay will visit this summer.

"We meet amazing people across the whole country. For me, it really restores my hope that America will step forward and really be a leader to the world with the power of peace," Berube said.

The Worldwide Harmony Run was founded in 1987 by the late Sri Chinmoy to promote what he called "international friendship," and harmony among all cultures, nationalities and beliefs.

Mayor Sandi Bloem welcomed Berube, and three other members of the 14-person U.S. team, now making their way from Seattle to New York City.

"We are honored that you are in our city. The message you bring to us, harmony ... you spread that message all over our country, and we just say thank you very much," Bloem said.

The 10,000-mile U.S. relay began in NYC in April and by August, it will return to the Big Apple, after making its way in a continuous loop through all 48 mainland states. Separate events will take place in Alaska and Hawaii.

There are eight nations represented by the runners on the U.S. team: Wales, Austria, England, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Australia and the USA. Team members run in shifts, taking turns preparing many of their meals in an RV that travels with them.

Berube said he finds it gratifying to watch the U.S. team's foreign members' opinions of the United States change as they make their way throughout the land.

"Very often, they only know us by our politics, our movies and maybe New York City," Berube said. "When they get out there to run close to people like you, and the everyday folks of America, and feel their hearts, by the end of the run, they're all like, 'Wow, we love America.'"

Christie Wood, representing the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, told the runners that the task force has a long history of working on behalf of human rights, and the purpose of the World Harmony Run "fits right into our mission and beliefs."

In each community the relay passes through, the group offers a "Torch-Bearer Award" to people who have "inspired their communities through their own lives and deeds," and solicits nominations from the cities and towns they visit.

The Lake City honor was bestowed upon Rachel Dolezal, the Human Rights Education Institute's director of education, in recognition of her work.

Berube presented Dolezal with a medallion and handed her the relay torch.

But the flame didn't stop there.

Dolezal immediately handed off the honor, passing the torch to Hayden Meadows Elementary School teacher, Vern Harvey.

She said Harvey has "championed the International Baccalaureate program," helped raise funds for the school and for charity through a variety of projects, many involving a greenhouse Harvey built and maintains at Hayden Meadows.

This year's global relay was launched Jan. 1 in Guatemala, where the torch was lit from the molten lava of Pacaya Volcano near Guatemala City.

"We put it on a very, very, very long pole," Berube said with a smile.

By the time the relay is completed, Worldwide Harmony runners will have covered ground in more than 100 nations on six continents.