We hope that NPCA members will join us Saturday, Sept 22, for Volunteer Day (the construction of a Peace Park in Anacostia honoring Sargent Shriver) 8:30 to 2 p.m. and for a Peace Vigil about 5 p.m., which we hope will be near the Reflecting Pool. Stay tuned for details.

The Executive Committee apologises for this message coming out after the postponement announcement. However, the need to get that message out as quickly as possible to the large numbers registered was a major priority. We now have taken a hard look at the business of NPCA and what can be done to further our efforts as an association. The board has been polled and we have found that a large majority have indicated their interest and willingness to meet. Our by-laws require an Annual General Meeting with a Presidents' Forum held in conjunction with it; thus we want to hold these two meetings at the same time. We have also learned that a number of you are still planning on coming to D.C. for the events planned on Saturday.

I can think of no more important time to convey the message of the Peace Corps. Although we have greatly modified our plans, it is my hope that the events we still have in place on Saturday and Sunday will provide this opportunity. For those of you that can join us, we look forward to seeing you. For those that can't we certainly understand and are sorry that we will not have your participation.

Dick Pyle, Board Chair

By Carroll J. Bouchard on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 11:20 pm: Edit Post

The commemorative mass for President Kennedy and
former Director Loret Miller Ruppe will still be
held on Saturday, September 22nd, at St. Matthew's
Cathedral,1725 Rhode Island Ave., Washington, DC at 5:30 pm.
All are invited to join in prayer on the 40th
anniversary of Congress passing The Peace Corps
Act on September 22, 1961.

Carroll J. Bouchard (703) 525-8864

By Admin1 (admin) on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 11:26 pm: Edit Post

Volunteer Day and the RPCV Vigil have been confirmed as events for this Saturday.

Come to the RPCV Vigil at 5:00 PM on the Mall.

Located near the Lincoln Memorial end of the Reflecting Pool, RPCVs are
invited to gather to stand vigil with your thoughts, hopes, and desires
for the world at this tragic time. All Peace Corps country flags will
be on display and our reflection on 40 Years of Service to others will be
combined with the vigil in readings, music, and written expression. You
will have the opportunity to record your thoughts in writing in a
collection of RPCV thoughts and signatures. The RPCV Vigil will end by
approximately 6:15 as people continue to write.

By Admin1 (admin) on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 11:28 pm: Edit Post

Rebuild a park in SE Washington, DC with a local community.

Volunteer Day includes playground construction, school painting, woods
clean-up, youth activities, and a dedication ceremony. Lunch will be provided.

Take the metro to Congress Heights station on the green line where a
shuttle will take you to Worthington Woods at Livingston Manor Park for
the rebuilding of the park into Peace Park, in honor of Sargeant
Shriver, the Founding Director of the Peace Corps.

The shuttle will start at 8:30, please arrive between 8:30 and 9:15 AM
although the shuttle will be continuous.

If driving from DC: take 295 south, exit on South Capitol Street (follow
S. Capitol as the exit splits), turn left on to Atlantic St., SE, right
on to 3rd St., SE. The site is on the left.

The Volunteer Day work will end at approximately 3:30 PM.

Volunteer Day was originally part of the 40th Anniversary Conference
celebration, and there is enough work for everyone.

By Admin1 (admin) on Friday, September 21, 2001 - 12:07 am: Edit Post

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Vigil

5:00PM to 6:30PM

At the Reflecting Pool near the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers understand the power of international understanding and, as patriots, reflect on this time with great sadness for the lives lost in the recent terrorist attacks. The National Peace Corps Association and the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, DC have organized a vigil to recognize those who have lost loved ones in NY, DC and all the other countries torn by war. Having had 40 years of experience in working with the people of other cultures, RPCVs believe that this is a time for Americans to embrace the diversity of our nation.

RPCVs will gather with the flags of the 135 countries where Peace Corps Volunteers have served. Speakers and readers will include first Peace Corps Director, Sargent Shriver; NPCA President, Dane Smith; Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA); Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair, Maureen Orth; Washington Writer, Karen DeWitt; Washington Post contributor Kitty Thuermer and others.

There will be music by Ukranian musician, Andriy Milavsky; Liberian gospel singer, Immanuel Datzie; Virginia E. Hayes Williams, mother of Washington DC Mayor Anthony Williams, and others.