Dear Senator Lugar: We hope that you and your family are well and secure.

The Senate has missed many an opportunity to end the war in the Iraq and Afghanistan. Now the unmistakable sounds and sights of Christmas surround us. Churches, stores, cards, and media products are full of wishes for peace and for the remembrance of a child's birth.

This is a great time for the Senate to convince the president that it is time to end the wars. Let us not pass up this opportunity.

I am enclosing a copy of the last weeks' dead as well as a brochure detailing the costs of the war to Indiana. The war has already cost Indiana more than 3.4 billion and over 55 killed, and for South Bend, over 47 million dollars. We need to end the wars and get out now, in the spirit of Christmas.

Thank you very much for your help.

Ellyn Stecker and Peter Smith for the Michiana Peace and Justice Coalition