I was born on the day that JFK made this speech. My father, a medical graduate from U of M, Ann Arbor was also one of the first Peace Corp volunteers. Since he was a doctor, he was allowed to bring dependents. My mother and I accompanied him on this two year assignment. On August of 1961, my father was one of 51 volunteers in the first group of Americans to arrive in Accra, Ghana. While most of the other volunteers went to outlying areas, my father was based in Accra. As a doctor, he was responsible for visiting the volunteers to check on their physical and emotional well being. I had the dubious distinction of being the unofficial "mascot" of that first group. I am told that the women all oohed over me whenever they came to Accra. Given how very young I was, I only have a few memories of my early childhood in Africa. 1) I remember my nanny carrying me about the house. She was Ashanti. 2) Since my father wanted to research malaria, he infected himself with tainted blood so as to have first hand knowledge of the symptoms along with the efficacy of standard treatments. I remember how worried my mother was since she became his primary caretaker. 3) When I was two, I remember driving across the bush with my father and stopping to see a giant anthill. I didn't know what it was until my father told me. The anthill towered over me and since it was a giant anthill, I assumed that it housed giant ants. I grabbed my father's hand and began screaming, "GO! GO! GO!" when he wouldn't budge. I remember being quite indignant when he laughed. In later years I also attended U of M, Ann Arbor as did my sister. GO BLUE!
A Peace Corps volunteer helped save my life. Thank you Peace Corps, and thank you to all the wonderful people that step forward to serve others with heart and soul !
yup...birth of what became the USA Peace Corps and from there the UM students, alumni, and faculty kept JFK and Congress nose to the grindstone to implement that esteemed organization!
I think this aspect was commented on at the time by the coverage in the Michigan Daily, but other reporters glossed over the part where the young people read a dirty innuendo into his comment about going to bed and "your help in that effort." It's undeniable in the recording.
Even as a conservative, I can say JFK was a helluva guy, lots of faults, but probably a swell guy to share a brew. The line about Harvard being the Michigan of the East, priceless, well played.
Pres. Kennedy was one of the people who had that certain it Factor. Pres. Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy gave their lives to what they believe in, just as all men are created equal, supposedly, whatever happened to the Christian belief that all men and women are brothers and sisters in the eyes of God, except here on earth.
I remember hearing these words on the radio as a 12-year-old in California. Several years later, JFK was gone (as were RFK, MLK and X). But Kennedy's dream of creating a Peace Corps survived--till today! And in 1970 I began three years of service as a happy volunteer myself in South Korea.
Nice to hear a politician telling Americans to put their service where their mouths are. Can you imagine doing that now? OMG - they'd call you a Trump supporter!
I saw that plaque many times too. Ended up in the Peace Corps right after graduated from UofM in 1977.
i pass by this spot every day on campus, and every time i get exponentially inspired
What spot?
I was born on the day that JFK made this speech. My father, a medical graduate from U of M, Ann Arbor was also one of the first Peace Corp volunteers. Since he was a doctor, he was allowed to bring dependents. My mother and I accompanied him on this two year assignment. On August of 1961, my father was one of 51 volunteers in the first group of Americans to arrive in Accra, Ghana.
While most of the other volunteers went to outlying areas, my father was based in Accra. As a doctor, he was responsible for visiting the volunteers to check on their physical and emotional well being.
I had the dubious distinction of being the unofficial "mascot" of that first group. I am told that the women all oohed over me whenever they came to Accra.
Given how very young I was, I only have a few memories of my early childhood in Africa.
1) I remember my nanny carrying me about the house. She was Ashanti.
2) Since my father wanted to research malaria, he infected himself with tainted blood so as to have first hand knowledge of the symptoms along with the efficacy of standard treatments. I remember how worried my mother was since she became his primary caretaker.
3) When I was two, I remember driving across the bush with my father and stopping to see a giant anthill. I didn't know what it was until my father told me. The anthill towered over me and since it was a giant anthill, I assumed that it housed giant ants. I grabbed my father's hand and began screaming, "GO! GO! GO!" when he wouldn't budge. I remember being quite indignant when he laughed.
In later years I also attended U of M, Ann Arbor as did my sister.
GO BLUE!
I am so impressed that he understood and appreciated what was unique about Ann Arbor.
A Peace Corps volunteer helped save my life. Thank you Peace Corps, and thank you to all the wonderful people that step forward to serve others with heart and soul !
I am going to University of Michigan this fall, I’m glad to see that many great people have visited this university!
Thanks for this. It did become the pivotal experience of my life, and it certainly helped those who needed my help. (RPCV Nepal)
yup...birth of what became the USA Peace Corps and from there the UM students, alumni, and faculty kept JFK and Congress nose to the grindstone to implement that esteemed organization!
I think this aspect was commented on at the time by the coverage in the Michigan Daily, but other reporters glossed over the part where the young people read a dirty innuendo into his comment about going to bed and "your help in that effort." It's undeniable in the recording.
Even as a conservative, I can say JFK was a helluva guy, lots of faults, but probably a swell guy to share a brew. The line about Harvard being the Michigan of the East, priceless, well played.
Pres. Kennedy was one of the people who had that certain it Factor. Pres. Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy gave their lives to what they believe in, just as all men are created equal, supposedly, whatever happened to the Christian belief that all men and women are brothers and sisters in the eyes of God, except here on earth.
Clarence Cardenas, the clown.
I was there.
I remember hearing these words on the radio as a 12-year-old in California. Several years later, JFK was gone (as were RFK, MLK and X). But Kennedy's dream of creating a Peace Corps survived--till today! And in 1970 I began three years of service as a happy volunteer myself in South Korea.
Hail
this is helpful who ever is lensening to this that know me I am really Hailey Rodgers
Nice to hear a politician telling Americans to put their service where their mouths are. Can you imagine doing that now? OMG - they'd call you a Trump supporter!