VETERANS DAY—ROOTS OF PEACE GROVE—NAPA VALLEY

By Heidi Kuhn, Founder and CEO

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.  It coincides with other holidays around the world such as Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.  Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.  At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Roots of Peace deeply respects our U.S. Veterans who lost their limbs and lives to landmines.  On the advent of November 11, 2011, I approached the State of California with a proposal to plant six redwood trees on the grounds of the California Veterans Home in Yountville—the largest Veterans home in the United States—located in the heart of the Napa Valley.

As many international visitors visit the famous Napa Valley wine country, most are not aware that over 1500 Veterans reside on the grounds adjacent to Domaine Chandon and other prominent vintners.  Thus, the six redwood trees representing 11-11-11 were planted on the grounds as a reminder of our efforts to transform MINES TO VINES—replacing the scourge of landmines with bountiful vineyards and orchards worldwide.

On the morning of November 11, 2011 (11-11-11), Daniel Yuval, age 11, landmine survivor, who lost his leg to a landmine while playing in a snowball fight with his family in The Golan Heights, flew from Tel Aviv, Israel, to plant the six redwood trees with my husband, Gary and son Christian.  During the ceremony, six redwood trees were brought to the new grove representing our Nations’ wars:  World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. Shirley and Paul Dean, Owners, Spiriterra Vineyards, joined in the distinguished audience, as they planted the ‘dog tags’ from each of their fathers at the base of two redwood trees—a solemn tribute to acknowledge their parents proud sacrifice serving in the U.S. military.

The solemn ceremony began with the Presentation of Colors by the Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation.  Veterans Home Administrator Marcella M. McCormack presented the opening remarks, followed by William Chadwick, Lieutenant Colonel, Retired, U.S. Army. No greater emphasis on the mission of Roots of Peace could be made than the words of Daniel Yuval, who shivered in the cold next to Mayor John Dunbar of Yountville, and pleaded for a landmine free world for all children to play.  Congressman Mike Thompson (Napa) also proudly stood with his Purple Heart, as he has shrapnel in his body from a landmine which detonated during The Vietnam War.

While the United States has contributed over $2 billion to help clear landmines, there still remain an estimated 60 million landmines silently poised in 60 countries which maim and kill innocent farmers and families daily.

With continued support from Napa Valley vintners, Roots of Peace seeks to raise $20 million by Earth Day 2020 to eradicate all explosive remnants of war from Quang Tri province, former DMZ.  More bombs were dropped in this region than World War I and World War II combined.  Since The Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, over 100,000 innocent Vietnamese footsteps have been maimed or killed by the deadly seeds of terror sown in both the soil and soul for future generations.  Together, we have proudly partnered with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at COPIA to host a Roots of Peace series of events Napa Valley in tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2020.  We hope to raise awareness and funds to achieve our humanitarian goal with the support from over 400 California vintners.

With clear 20/20 vision, we hope that global citizens and corporations will join the Roots of Peace campaign to help remove landmines in Quang Tri, Vietnam and plant black pepper trees on former war torn lands.  So far, Roots of Peace has trained over 3000 Vietnamese farmers to grow some of the world’s best black pepper on former battlefields known as Khei Sanh, Cam Lo, Dong Ha, and Vinh Linh.  Today, we are proudly exporting the Morton & Bassett Spice Company headquartered in Sonoma County.  Morton Gothelf, CEO, is now featuring the Roots of Peace logo (grapevine and dove of peace) on every bottle of black pepper sold on supermarket shelves around the United States of America.

On this Veterans Day 2019, please visit the Roots of Peace Grove located in the heart of the Napa Valley, and see how large our redwood trees have grown!  With sunlight, water, and a human hand, we continue to cultivate sustainable peace on former war-torn lands worldwide.  Join us, as we continue our surge to turn MINES TO VINES—replacing minefields with bountiful vineyards and orchards around the globe.

Join us, as we plant the Roots of Peace on Earth…