EDITORIAL: 'Peace on Earth' begins with peacemakers

Each year, especially at Christmas, Americans profess their desire for "Peace on Earth." Well, in the words of the 1955 song, "Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me."

U.S. must sustain efforts to strengthen fragile peace

Peace is indeed fragile, and that is a reason to maintain our military readiness in the face of the fiscal cliff (Doug Ross column, Dec. 5). It is also a reason to sustain our commitment to international development assistance.

Joining the Peace Corps at 56

Mary Kaczka, of Valparaiso, packs her belongings Tuesday before leaving for a 27-month role with the Peace Corps in the Asian county of Azerbaijan. Kaczka was formerly the executive director of Partners in Contracting Corp. in Hammond.

Joining the Peace Corps at 56

“I was interested in a life-changing challenge and experience,” Mary Kaczka said of her 27-month role with the Peace Corps in the Asian county of Azerbaijan. “I feel like this is my purpose.”

Promoting peace at PUC

Purdue University Calumet student Alonzo Bailey, left, and Purdue Calumet Associate Director of Facilities Paul Pratt admire the Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World display Monday in Hammond. The university has launched a week of events honoring the life of rights activ…

Promoting peace at PUC

Purdue Calumet Chancellor Thomas Keon, from left, East Chicago Department of Redevelopment Director John Artis and Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist admire the Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World display Monday at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond.

Promoting peace at PUC

Keynote speaker Martinez Chapman from Soka Gakkai International addresses a crowd Monday as Purdue University Calumet began a week of events honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

EDITORIAL: Peace on Earth requires effort

The message of peace on Earth, proclaimed two millennia ago, came as welcome news. The world was at war then, and the angels proclaimed their message in an occupied land.

Fegely students voice hope for peace through pinwheel project

PORTAGE | Fegely Middle School students expressed their thoughts about war and peace and living in harmony by participating in an art installation project this week.

Crown Point lawyer answers call to serve others in Ukraine

CROWN POINT | Connie Postelli knows she's going to Ukraine to teach English as a second language with the Peace Corps, and that she leaves Northwest Indiana on Sept. 19. Her research has told her the winters will be brutal, with temperatures 20 to 40 degrees below zero.

'Kennedy's Children' celebrate Peace Corps

Walter Jones, of Gary, kneels to take a picture of the plaque that was unveiled Monday in Federal Plaza to mark the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Jones volunteered in Sierra Leone from 1990 to 1992.

'Kennedy's Children' celebrate Peace Corps

Chicago area Peace Corps volunteers celebrated the program's 50th anniversary with a tree and plaque dedication ceremony in Federal Plaza. About 300 people gathered in the plaza for speeches, acknowlegements and dedications. Among them was Garth Lewis, of Gary, center who had served in the P…

'Kennedy's Children' celebrate Peace Corps

Catherine Foster and Joe Carroll unveil a plaque Monday in Federal Plaza marking the 50th anniversary of the Chicago area Peace Corps.

'Kennedy's Children' celebrate Peace Corps

Katie O'Connor, manager of the Chicago regional recruitment office for the Peace Corps, speaks to a crowd of about 300 people Monday who gathered in Federal Plaza to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps with a tree and plaque dedication.

Surgical technology provides 'GPS' in Methodist operating room

An iPad shows images of a spine before and after surgery to correct scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. The new Stryker Navigation System, a surgical tool described as "GPS" for surgeons, is being used at the Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville to help treat scoliosis, as …

Surgical technology provides 'GPS' in Methodist operating room

Jared Slibeck, a representative for the surgical tool Styker Navigation System, sets up the new Stryker surgical equipment in Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus' Center for Advanced Clinical Studies in Merrillville. The system is what Slibeck describes as "GPS for the body," allowing surge…

Region residents describe lives transformed by Peace Corps

Even though Garth Lewis, of Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood, was born after President John F. Kennedy died in office, he was influenced by Kennedy's message because his father was a fan of the president. The Peace Corps posted him in West Africa in 1990 to teach English.

Connection between Valpo High grads born of peace

Christin Spoolstra, a 2007 Valparaiso High School graduate, is preparing to volunteer with the Peace Corps in Cambodia.

Connection between Valpo High grads born of peace

Valparaiso resident Christin Spoolstra soon will volunteer with the Peace Corps in Cambodia. One of the people who will greet her when she arrives is Erin Daly, also a Valparaiso High School graduate, who has been stationed in the country for a year.

Connection between Valpo High grads born of peace

Christin Spoolstra, a 2007 Valparaiso High School graduate, who soon will volunteer overseas for the Peace Corps, stands with her parents Len, left, and Joyce at their Valparaiso home.