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The History of the Peace Cloth
Debra Chilton's idea for the John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth was
sparked by her involvement in another undertaking called the Cloth of Many Colors.
Organizers were already soliciting fabric contributions for a cloth to be wrapped
around the United Nations building. As a gesture of solidarity, donors were asked
to spend a few moments holding their fabric and praying for peace before mailing
their swatches. In March 2000, Chilton approached the director about working with
individuals and groups who supported the ideals Denver stood for and soon, her sub-project
was launched.
"As the cloths continued to grow," she remembers, "it became very
obvious to all of us that the John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth had taken on a spirit
and life of its own."
In fact, Chilton was utterly astounded by some of the contributions. She remembers
the mother who offered pieces of crib sheets that had been used by her now grown
children. Another fashioned a crochet square made of yarn unraveled from the sweater
of her best friend who had died. A woman sent in a piece of the dress her daughter-in-law
wore to Denver's last concert in Texas, before she died of cancer herself.
"Many wrote stories to go with their cloth," Chilton says. "People
had embroidered shirts in the 70's and had worn them to concerts and then sent the
shirts for the cloth. Pieces of wedding dresses. Babies' clothes. A scarf given by
a daughter to her mother before she died."
Every contribution is special. Every piece tells a story of the impact Denver had
on the donor's life. And every patch holds a message of peace, a message that was
emphatically presented during the September 2000 peace demonstration at the United
Nations and afterward, when Ron Deutschendorf was presented with a special shawl
crafted from a small section of the cloth. Later, a similar shawl was created for
Denver's mother.
 Many contributors who were unable to be present in New York City had an
opportunity to see sections of the cloth displayed during the annual John Denver
memorial events a month later. A section approximately 150 feet long was stretched
out on the beach at Pacific Grove, California, during candlelight vigils and a flyover
near the spot where Denver's plane went down. Other sections, measuring between 125
and 150 feet each, were displayed during similar tribute activities in Aspen, Colorado,
the adopted home town of the late singer.
"When people first see the cloth they are amazed at the beauty, at the message,
and at the work that has gone into the creation of it," Chilton says. "Many
come to me in tears and tell me that they have seen their piece and they are just
overwhelmed. To see the cloth has brought forth many emotions for people. Tears,
joy, awe."
 For many, the cloth is symbolic not only of peace but also of the great
diversity present in the world today. Enthusiasts believe the project is representative
of how people across the globe might unite in the common interest of peace, despite
cultural and political differences. This belief is what fuels the desire to see the
cloth continue to grow and tour the planet.
"Together," Chilton says, "we all feel proud of what we have accomplished,
in carrying on John's legacy, in working together to create this magnificent tapestry,
for peace and John's vision of one world." |
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