Irene Morgan Seeks 1953 Peace Arch Memories from Fellow Attendees

Irene Morgan, now 85 years old, is on a heartfelt quest to reconnect with fellow participants from the 1953 Hands Across the Border event at Peace Arch Park. This annual gathering celebrated cross-border friendships among children from Canada and the United States for decades, drawing thousands before its cancellation in 2013 due to funding issues. Although the event returned in 2015 and has been held intermittently since—both in-person and online—Morgan’s memories of that day remain vivid.

Reflecting on her experience, Morgan stated, “I’ve always been a peace monger,” recalling the impact of the event on her young self. She expressed a desire to find anyone else who attended that memorable day. “If someone knows someone… we could get together,” she noted. “Maybe there is ‘another ME’ somewhere in the midst of the wild growth we’ve seen in the last few decades.”

Morgan’s search began last summer after attending “handshakes” events at Peace Arch Park. These gatherings were organized to foster connections between Canadians and Americans amid rising tensions in political rhetoric. She remarked, “It’s so awesome to be supported instead of just being called names by our supposed president, who acts like a two-year-old. It’s nice to be friendly, get hugs.”

Encouraged by a conversation with another attendee, Morgan decided to pursue her idea of locating fellow participants from 1953. She emphasized the importance of sharing these memories, stating, “It may be minor, but it’s history. And maybe it’ll encourage some of the other classes to do the same thing.”

As the founder of the Restorative CommUnity Coalition, an organization dedicated to helping individuals transition out of prison, Morgan understands the significance of community connections. She has lived on her seven-acre property in Everson, Washington, for 80 years, moving there with her family from Southern California when she was five. Her neighbors share a similar commitment to staying rooted in their community, including a dairy farmer who has resided in his home for 65 years.

Morgan fondly remembers her feelings of shyness and uncertainty at the 1953 event but also cherishes the friendships that formed that day. “It was awesome that we were able to meet our neighbors—strangers—and be friends with them,” she said.

She invites anyone who recalls attending the event or whose children have heard stories about it to reach out to her at 360-354-3653. Morgan hopes to reignite the spirit of friendship and community that defined the Hands Across the Border experience.