John Krejci
Recipient of the NFP Member Award
John Krejci, who serves as the National Association of Social Workers — Nebraska Chapter representative on the NFP State Board, has been a NFP member forever. Whether it’s street-picketing against war (this war, the other wars, the weapons of war) or defending civil rights (before and after Selma, Alabama and Whiteclay, Nebraska) or pushing for justice (a rehabilitative penal system) or holding the Catholic hierarchy to walk and talk their Founder’s message (justice, love), John is there. Count on it.
John is an activist in another sense of the word. Not only does he protest injustice, he practices his belief that broadening cultural awareness is the first step toward developing trust and actively building peace. John’s students at Nebraska Wesleyan University were in for an energetic ride. Because learning for John was never simply a pencil and paper thing, many of his students experienced with him the magnificent culture and the malicious poverty in a hands-on week at an Indian Reservation. Neither were his three children exempted from experiencing other cultures. He and Jean took ‘em everywhere — camping out in assorted Spanish-speaking countries. I bet they have stories to tell!
John Krejci will tell you he’s Czech and “those Czechs, ya know, they’re stubborn.” Well, yes, John’s taught us that very well. Here’s what we think: If ever there was a feisty, persistent, nonviolent peacemaker, it’s our John Krejci!
-- Carol McShane
Nebraska Coalition for Peace
Recipient of the Public Service Award
Formed in the fall of 2002 amid the Bush/Cheney Administration’s drumbeat for war with Iraq, this ad hoc collection of student, church and organizational activists proceeded to organize the largest antiwar rally in Lincoln since the Vietnam era. Over 1200 people turned out for a march, rally and teachin in the freezing cold January 18, 2003, on the day celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth.
In the intervening five years, this hardy group — which still includes some of its founding members like Josh Cramer, Mark Weddleton and Don Tilley — has been instrumental in organizing the first “SOS — Speak Out at StratCom” in August 2003; annual anti-war protests on the anniversary of the Iraq invasion; and the weekly vigils at the Lincoln Federal Building opposing both the Iraq occupation and the anticipated attack on Iran.
As an institutional supporter of the Nebraska Coalition for Peace from the outset, Nebraskans for Peace could think of no more deserving recipient of the public service peacemaker award than the all-volunteer “Coalition,” which has faithfully led the anti-war effort in Lincoln — and Nebraska — the last five years. Coalition members Jill Francke (who serves as the Coalition liaison to the NFP State Board), Jake Hoy-Elswick and Megan Jackson accepted the award on behalf of the group. Visit their website.
-- Mark Vasina
Nebraskans for Peace
Peacemakers of the Year
Virginia Walsh
John Krecji
Wes and June Webb
Rev. Carol Windrum
Marian Todd
Rev. Howard Osborne
Sen. Bob Kerrey
Clayton Brant
Ed Maynard
Don Reeves
Sen. Jim Exon
Charles and Ruth Moorer
Ann Coyne
Victoria Peterson
Betty Olson
Bishop Thomas Gumbleton
Loyal and Mary Alice Park
Frank LaMere
Sen. Ernie Chambers
Marylyn Felion
Dwight Dell
Peg Gallagher
Terry Werner
Rev. Nye Bond
Merle Hansen
Arlo “Dutch” Hoppe
Fred Schroeder
Nebraska Coalition for Peace
Central City Friends Meeting
