Derwood in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Garden

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2019

1. Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Garden Marker

Inscription.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Garden. . "Peace is possible ... it can begin simply, over a game of chess and a cup of tea.", Mattie J.T. Stepanek July 17, 1990 - June 22, 2004. Mattie enjoyed public speaking and worked with Former President and First Lady Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on several projects related to humanitarian efforts. Mattie's seventh and final book, Just Peace: A Message of Hope, written in collaboration with President Carter, outlines Mattie's "three choices for peace" concept. In this book, Mattie also discussed how conflict is natural because people are unique, but violence is an unnecessary and avoidable response to conflict., About Mattie Mattie J.T. Stepanek envisioned a world at peace. Through poetry, essays, and speeches, Mattie advocated that each person can choose peaceful attitudes and habits that lead to harmonious realities for individuals, and for the future or our world. Despite having a life-threatening neuromuscular disease that resulted in ongoing physical and emotional challenges, Mattie constantly sought to serve as "an ambassador of humanity." He believed that every person is a part of "the great mosaic of life," and that it is our privilege and responsibility to nurture, to offer, and to accept the unique gifts of being that grow from each person." Mattie chose to live with optimism, resiliency, and an incredible sense of humor that grew from his personal life philosophy: "Remember to play after every storm!" He wanted to be remembered as "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played." For more information about Mattie please visit: www.mattieonline.com., About Mattie's Peace Garden Mattie believed that people have the opportunity to create their own legacy, or "echo and silhouette of our life", through the choices we make in each moment. After his death, the Mattie J.T. Stepanek King Farm Foundation was established as a nonprofit organization to continue spreading Mattie's vision of world peace through educational and recreational programs and activities. The citizens of Rockville, MD (where Mattie lived his final years) chose to name this 26-acre park in honor of Mattie, to celebrate his legacy and to offer the gift of his wisdom and philosophy to generations across time. The design of this Peace Garden is based on imagery Mattie used in his final book, Just Peace: A Message of Hope, and includes "mosaic gifts," "concentric circles of support," and "flowing rivers of kindness., About Mattie's Park Throughout the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park, quotes from Mattie's speeches and books can be found on benches and plaques. It is hoped that this space and the essence of Mattie's wisdom will serve as a place of respite and rejuvenation for the many people who visit. More important, by experiencing this park it is hoped that visitors will embrace Mattie's messages of harmony and peace, carry these forward when leaving the park, and make choices that will create their own legacy for life and for our world., Hear Mattie reading poetry samples: 1. Mattie's Heartsongs for children and all people. 2. Mattie's Heartsongs for our world and future 3. Excerpts from 2003 Peace and Poetry Speech (Music by Al Jewer and Andy Mitran) 4. Mattie's I AM/Shades of Life song (Performed by Billy Gilman with Mattie), Mattie became a well-recognized guest on many news and talk shows such as Oprah, Larry King Live and Good Morning America. He first shared his concept of Heartsongs with Oprah Winfrey during a 2001 television appearance on her show. Six of Mattie's books contain this word in the title. Mattie said that "a Heartsong is a person's unique reason to be. It is the gift each person has to offer others in the world.", Mattie collaborated with many individuals and organizations as an advocate seeking to meet the basic needs of people around the world. In 2002, he worked with musician Nile Rodgers as the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) was launched. Now, WAFF continues to spread Mattie's message of hope and peace throughout the "Three Dot Dash" Global Teen Leadership Initiative and their annual international "Just Peace Summit.", Mattie served as the National Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association from 2002 through 2004, working with Jerry Lewis and other celebrities, such as Larry King, to promote awareness and research for neuromuscular disease. "I did not choose to have a disability," Mattie said, "but I can choose to have an attitude of hope. I am proud to be one of Jerry's Kids."

"Peace is possible ... it can begin simply, over a game of chess and a cup of tea."

Mattie J.T. Stepanek
July 17, 1990 - June 22, 2004
Mattie enjoyed public speaking and worked with Former President and First Lady Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on several projects related to humanitarian efforts. Mattie's seventh and final book—Just Peace: A Message of Hope—written in collaboration with President Carter, outlines Mattie's "three choices for peace" concept. In this book, Mattie also discussed how conflict is natural because people are unique, but violence is an unnecessary and avoidable response to conflict.

About Mattie
Mattie J.T. Stepanek envisioned a world at peace. Through poetry, essays, and speeches, Mattie advocated that each person can choose peaceful attitudes and habits that lead to harmonious realities for individuals, and for the future or our world. Despite having a life-threatening neuromuscular disease that resulted in ongoing physical and emotional challenges, Mattie constantly sought to serve as "an ambassador of humanity." He believed that every person is a part of "the great mosaic of life," and that it is our privilege and responsibility to nurture, to offer, and to accept the unique gifts of being that grow from each person."

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Mattie chose to live with optimism, resiliency, and an incredible sense of humor that grew from his personal life philosophy: "Remember to play after every storm!" He wanted to be remembered as "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played." For more information about Mattie please visit: www.mattieonline.com.

About Mattie's Peace Garden
Mattie believed that people have the opportunity to create their own legacy—or "echo and silhouette of our life"—through the choices we make in each moment. After his death, the Mattie J.T. Stepanek King Farm Foundation was established as a nonprofit organization to continue spreading Mattie's vision of world peace through educational and recreational programs and activities. The citizens of Rockville, MD (where Mattie lived his final years) chose to name this 26-acre park in honor of Mattie, to celebrate his legacy and to offer the gift of his wisdom and philosophy to generations across time. The design of this Peace Garden is based on imagery Mattie used in his final book, Just Peace: A Message of Hope, and includes "mosaic gifts," "concentric circles of support," and "flowing rivers of kindness.

About Mattie's Park
Throughout the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park, quotes from Mattie's speeches and books can be found on benches and plaques. It is hoped that this space

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 1, 2019

2. Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Garden Marker

and the essence of Mattie's wisdom will serve as a place of respite and rejuvenation for the many people who visit. More important, by experiencing this park it is hoped that visitors will embrace Mattie's messages of harmony and peace, carry these forward when leaving the park, and make choices that will create their own legacy for life and for our world.

Hear Mattie reading poetry samples:
1. Mattie's Heartsongs for children and all people.
2. Mattie's Heartsongs for our world and future
3. Excerpts from 2003 Peace and Poetry Speech (Music by Al Jewer & Andy Mitran)
4. Mattie's I AM/Shades of Life song (Performed by Billy Gilman with Mattie)

Mattie became a well-recognized guest on many news and talk shows such as Oprah, Larry King Live and Good Morning America. He first shared his concept of Heartsongs with Oprah Winfrey during a 2001 television appearance on her show. Six of Mattie's books contain this word in the title. Mattie said that "a Heartsong is a person's unique reason to be. It is the gift each person has to offer others in the world."

Mattie collaborated with many individuals and organizations as an advocate seeking to meet the basic needs of people around the world. In 2002, he worked with musician Nile Rodgers as the We Are Family Foundation

Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Garden Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2019

3. Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Garden Statue

(WAFF) was launched. Now, WAFF continues to spread Mattie's message of hope and peace throughout the "Three Dot Dash" Global Teen Leadership Initiative and their annual international "Just Peace Summit."

Mattie served as the National Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association from 2002 through 2004, working with Jerry Lewis and other celebrities, such as Larry King, to promote awareness and research for neuromuscular disease. "I did not choose to have a disability," Mattie said, "but I can choose to have an attitude of hope. I am proud to be one of Jerry's Kids."

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Parks & Recreational Areas • Peace. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #39 James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2001.

Location. 39° 7.023′ N, 77° 10.634′ W. Marker is in Derwood, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Piccard Drive west of Pleasant Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 Piccard Drive, Rockville MD 20850, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Hay Drying Shed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bechtel (approx. half a mile away); Near This Spot Lived and Lies Buried Jeremiah Crabbe

Mattie Stepanek & Micah<br>2008 Sculpture by Jimilu Mason image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 1, 2019

4. Mattie Stepanek & Micah
2008 Sculpture by Jimilu Mason

(approx. one mile away); Gaithersburg (approx. 1.4 miles away); Summit Hall Farm Smokehouse (approx. 1.4 miles away); Summit Hall Farm (approx. 1.4 miles away); DeSellum Family Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); We Will Never Forget (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Derwood.

“Peace is possible ... it can begin simply, over a game of chess and a cup of tea.” image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 1, 2019

5. “Peace is possible ... it can begin simply, over a game of chess and a cup of tea.”

-- Mattie J. T. Stepanek

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 1, 2019

6. Just Peace

On the back the wheelchair.

“Remember to Play After every Storm”<br>Mattie J. T. Stepanek image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 1, 2019

7. “Remember to Play After every Storm”
Mattie J. T. Stepanek

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 1, 2019

8. Micah

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 455 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on October 2, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3. submitted on February 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on October 2, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.