WHAT: Students from Our Lady of the Ridge Catholic School in south suburban Chicago Ridge will participate in a Walk For Peace to honor local firefighters, police officers and military personnel.Students in kindergarten through fourth grade will walk with family members to the police and fire departments in Chicago Ridge to make a presentation of prayer cards and pins to the officers. A fire truck police escort and will accompany the students on their walk. Police and firefighters are invited to the school for lunch and to visit classrooms to share with students some of their experiences in the line of duty.

Fifth through eighth grade students will accompany family members who are veterans to a special memorial service at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 111th St. and Harlem Ave, Chicago Ridge. During the service, students will place flowers at the memorial. Following the service, students and veterans will walk to the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post, 110th St. and Depot, to commemorate a display of photographs that feature the students’ family members who are military veterans. The veterans are invited to the school for lunch and to share stories about their military experiences with the children."We are teaching the children to be peacemakers by helping them to understand the importance of police and fire officials and veterans in our community," said Father Paul Burak, pastor. "We are proud to honor all people who make our lives safer. The students are excited about including their own family members in the day’s activities, as well."

WHEN: Friday, May 17, 2002
8:30 a.m. – Mass with family members and local veterans9:00 a.m. – Walk For Peace11:30 a.m. – LunchWHERE: Our Lady of the Ridge Catholic School
10859 S. Ridgeland Ave., Chicago Ridge
708-424-4409

Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by developing the minds and spirits of nearly 123,000 students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in the 304 elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are more than 6,000 teachers in the Catholic school system who instill values, teach discipline and achieve strong, consistent academic results in the Archdiocese of Chicago's 261 elementary and 43 secondary schools. Visit the Archdiocese of Chicago Website at http://schools.archchicago.org