Talon Flohr Family Dedicate a Peace Pole at Talon Flohr Park, in Sandusky, Ohio, USA.
November 20, 2023
SANDUSKY — Friends and family members gathered to honor a beloved man who left a positive mark on many throughout his hometown.
Organized by the Center for Peace Through Understanding, on Monday, its members placed a Peace Pole at Talon Flohr Park on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) at Erie Boulevard, across from a Marathon gas station, in Sandusky.
Officials renamed the park in 2021 a few months after Talon Flohr, 28, a 2011 Sandusky High School graduate, unexpectedly passed away.
“Talon was a model civil servant of his beloved hometown,” according to an event statement. “He was also a strong supporter of the Center for Peace Through Understanding, even in the early stages of its creation in 2016. He was later instrumental in helping that organization encourage city commissioners to make Sandusky, officially, a (Welcoming & Safe Community for Immigrants.)”
Those who spoke provided some additional context:
• The center, an organization created by First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sandusky, aims to foster peace with individuals and communities. The nonprofit considers itself nonreligious and nonpolitical.
• A Welcoming City implies a city openly accepts and respects refugees, foreigners, and those not native to the U.S. “This resolution will reinforce and publicly declare Sandusky’s commitment to being a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all,” Flohr said in 2018.
• A Peace Pole— an 8-foot, four-sided aluminum pole with the words “May Peace Prevail On Earth” — represents a symbol conveying goodwill, inspiring people to build and maintain a peaceful community. Several can be found around Sandusky, and the peace phrase, located on each one, is etched in different languages, such as English, German, Spanish and sign language.
• Flohr served as the city’s neighborhood director, constantly talking with locals, and incorporating their vast input into plans to improve residential districts citywide.
Among his greatest successes involved establishing this small park, or “parklet,” transforming a once-abandoned property into a community welcoming center. He did this by speaking to and working with area residents.
Flohr emphasized the park aims to bring community members, especially those living in or near this neighborhood, together. Before this gathering spot, they had nowhere within walking distance to socialize, relax or meet other people.
it’s now known as Talon Flohr Park, taking place Tuesday.
Placing a Peace Pole in his park represents a milestone moment, said Lenore Kure, pastor of First Congregational.
“One of Talon’s goals was to promote peace in Sandusky by having Peace Poles planted in several of the community’s neighborhoods,” Kure said. “In 2020, he proudly attended the dedication of one such Peace Pole: at Camp and West Monroe streets.”
Center members believed a Peace Pole would greatly honor Flohr’s legacy.
It’s “a fitting memorial to him,” Kure said. “Not only will the Peace Pole stand in honor of Talon, but in these unsettling times in our country and around the world, it will also be a reminder of the need for everyone, everywhere, to work together for peace.”
Kure and others want to continue the good work Flohr started.
“Talon is now enjoying that eternal life in the heavenly realm,” she said. “So, it is up to us to carry on his work for the city and his passion for peace. Let’s go and do that now.”
Talon the terrific
In his short time with Sandusky’s government, Flohr accomplished much. Here are just some of the more notable initiatives he successfully oversaw within a four-year period:
• Establishing the Sandusky Youth Commission, which brought together area high school students so they could get involved in public service and make worthwhile changes to benefit their peers
• Coordinating the ongoing renovations of Jaycee Park, now home to a recreational trail, refurbished basketball courts and other popular amenities
• Organizing the opening of Sandusky’s warming and cooling shelters where anyone in need, no matter during winter or summer, could stay to escape the harsh elements
• Implementing the Sandusky Neighborhood Initiative, which, for the first time in decades, addressed longstanding issues in residential areas
Officials emphasized how these weren’t Flohr’s ideas coming to fruition. Rather, it’s what the people desired.
Flohr calmly and intently listened to their feedback, formulated plans by breaking through the bureaucratic commotion and delivered on his promises. In today’s world, it’s a rare feat a single government official can nail a trifecta like this.
In 2018, Flohr won a prestigious statewide award, the Young Community Development Professional of the Year, for Sandusky’s neighborhood initiative plan.
“It’s always an honor to get awarded for the work we’ve done,” said Flohr in a 2018 article, sharing the credit with others. “But it is even more special to me as my work is aimed at improving my hometown.”