special issue: inauguration 2009 - National Peace Corps Association

carrying which flag, that my name was
listed next to Jamaica!
As we stood on the precipice of a new day
for the United States, and prayed for the
world, my family and friends from Jamaica
(and beyond) were also proud and elated.
My dad turns 80 in just a few months, and
having lived through a time where people
were routinely lynched for the color of their
skin and not allowed to drink from the same
water fountain, he was particularly enthused
to have lived to see me playing this role while
flying the colors of his home.
Audrey Scott
Estonia 98-00
I could have stared at those flags
for hours. Visually, it was beautiful.
Emotionally, it was staggering.
Those flags stood for the tens of
thousands of American Peace Corps
volunteers who served across the world,
from the tropical heat of Micronesia to the
frigid cold of Estonia. Their movement
spoke of a spirit of service that still lives—
in returned volunteers, in those currently
serving and in the ideals of those who will
someday serve.
Then came the call: time to march. I
moved. My blood flowed. The adrenaline
did too.
Although the parade route crowds had
thinned, those that remained were excited.
People cheered, waved, snapped photos and
yelled out “Peace Corps!”
I heard shouts of “Thank you!!” and
“Thank you, Peace Corps!!”
More importantly, the Obamas and
Bidens appeared genuinely excited to see us!
They waved, they smiled, they laughed.
The Obamas and Bidens wave to the Peace Corps Community marchers as they pass the presidential reviewing stand.
John McDonnell, Washington Post
12 Spring 2009