DC Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Group to Coordinate 50th Anniversary Event

Online, September 17, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, DC (RPCV/W), a chapter of the National Peace Corps Association, announced that they will coordinate a special ceremony at Arlington Cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater on Sunday, September 25, 2011, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the United States Peace Corps.

Scheduled to last 90 minutes, the ceremony will include addresses from former Peace Corps volunteers, host country nationals, and international dignitaries. The ceremony will be followed by a silent procession to John F. Kennedy's grave to honor his role in the creation of the Peace Corps and his challenge to Americans to contribute to the greater good. Events will conclude with a march of flags representing the 139 countries where Peace Corps has had presence, over the Memorial Bridge to the National Mall.

"For RPCV/W, it is an honor to commemorate this important milestone for a program that has changed the lives of so many Americans and people around the world" said RPCV/W President, Tamar Schiffman, "For us, this is also an opportunity to honor the memory of over 275 volunteers who lost their lives during their Peace Corps service."

In the year leading up to the event, RPCV/W plans to honor the first 13 Peace Corps through special receptions and events, starting with a reception which was held on September 15, 2010 at Ghana Cafe in Washington, DC. Other monthly events will focus on Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, St. Lucia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Thailand, finally culminating in the events of September, 25, 2011.

The United States Peace Corps, The National Peace Corps Association, and chapters around the country will be coordinating programs and events across the United States throughout the year.

About the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington: Founded in 1979, RPCV/W includes over 500 members and represents over 2,000 returned Peace Corps volunteers in the greater Washington, DC area. The organization exists to further the third goal of the Peace Corps, "helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans," by fostering cultural, educational, and community service opportunities for members and supporters in the Greater Washington area. www.rpcvw.org.

About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps is an independent agency of the United States government, dedicated to the three goals of: 1) Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women; 2) Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; 3) Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. Since 1961, over 200,000 volunteers have served in 139 countries. www.peacecorps.gov.

Contact Information: [email protected]