Would They do it Again?

They volunteered for the Peace Corps more than 60 years ago. Would they do it today?

In its early days, why did mostly young Americans — average age 24 — volunteer for the Peace Corps? And if they could be 24 again, would they do it in today’s challenging political environment?

Thirteen Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, now in their 80s and still politically engaged, were asked to respond to this question. Their answers might surprise you.

David Bohnke, College Professor,  West Virginia (Colombia 1962-64)

“My older brother had been killed in Korea, so a military career was out of the question. I wanted to do something exciting and patriotic.

I joined the Peace Corps with pride in our national government. I have lost that sense of pride in an administration that is now characterized by incompetence, narcissism, and greed. I would not want to be a part of it.”  

Mike Town, Judge/Mediator/Arbitrator, Hawai’i (Colombia 1962–64)

“ ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’ For me, it was the Peace Corps.

I definitely would do it again. The Peace Corps still involves service, travel, adventure, and the opportunity to leave a legacy. Getting a diverse cultural and language experience is needed, given the myopia many politicians and leaders often exhibit.”

Deb Matthews, Teacher/Researcher, Ohio (Costa Rica 1962–64)

“Naively, I applied for the Peace Corps and the CIA. When the Peace Corps invited me to train for a project in Colombia, it was no contest. I felt like I had won the lottery and signed up immediately.

I wouldn’t want to be seen as representing this president, but I would represent most of the citizens who are good, generous, and who want to help other countries.”

Dan Friedman, Attorney, New Mexico (Colombia 1962–64)

“I was very unsure about next steps in life. I had heard about the Peace Corps and applied at the University of Michigan. Months later, while working at a civil service job in lower Manhattan, I got an offer from the Peace Corps to teach English at the university level in Colombia.

Yes, I would volunteer today. The fact that the Peace Corps still exists means something is right about the United States. The need of a developing country for my services further justifies my involvement. The U.S. will benefit from having citizens familiar with other countries and cultures. The selfish benefits of the experience, living in a different part of the world, learning a language, meeting wonderful people, and rendering service are far and away the greatest justification. And yes, getting out of this country for the next two toxic years and doing something useful would be a huge benefit.”

Susan Ershler, Teacher/Counselor, San Francisco (Colombia 1963–65)

“I applied to Peace Corps in the spring of 1963. I was young and naïve, but I trusted Kennedy and was inspired by his call to service. I believed in America.

The rise of authoritarianism and the lack of respect for the immigrant, science, education, the military, and the Constitution, is not American. I would not be willing to represent this America, nor would I trust that a Trump Peace Corps is indeed that and not an organization with more nefarious intention.”

Kay Dixon, Instructional Designer/Writer, Washington (Colombia 1962–64)

Kay Dixon was a Volunteer in Colombia in the 1960s. She says she wouldn’t join the Peace Corps today.

No, I would not serve in the Peace Corps today. Peace Corps volunteers in the 60’s represented the USA and President Kennedy. We were admired and welcomed throughout the world just for being American, regardless of our work or accomplishments.

To serve today would be to represent the current administration. I am embarrassed by the pain, hardship, and alienation it is causing, not only here but around the world. The Peace Corps currently has 3,000+ active volunteers, I fear their personal safety is compromised. Living and working in remote communities with limited communication resources is dangerous, especially with the circumstances caused by President Trump, his supporters, and policies.

Gale Gibson, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. (Colombia 1962–64)

“Despite substantial antipathy towards the USA, I would volunteer. I was attracted to the Peace Corps because of the potential adventure and opportunity to do something helpful for others.

Those two things still exist for volunteers. They would not have the support of an encouraging political administration (like the Kennedy administration), but the need would still be great. An exciting adventure and participating in useful activities would be adequate motivation for me.”

Sue Farrington, Small Business Owner, New Mexico (Colombia 1962–64)

“I read about a woman from Colorado who was in the Peace Corps in India. It was interesting. It was in another country. It was not ordinary. I had pretty much been around the same kind of people all of my life, and I thought there had to be more interesting people in the world. And, by god, I found them in the Peace Corps.

On the days after November 22, 1963, Colombianos, complete strangers, would stop me on the street to express their condolences on the death of our president. It had a lasting effect on me. I cannot imagine that would occur today. A Peace Corps volunteer was, is, a representative of our country. It would be hard for me to support the present administration. I think that’s a ‘no.’”

Tom Hillary, Professional Fiduciary, California (Colombia 1962–64)

“I had just graduated Aquinas College in Michigan, when President Kennedy established the Peace Corps. I loved the idea. It sounded more challenging and exciting than teaching high school Latin.

I would not be comfortable representing the U.S. — especially President Trump and the direction this administration is taking. Our nation is abandoning the mission of peace keeping, caring for the needy, defending the vulnerable, sharing our wealth, and not demanding something in return. President Trump’s goals are in direct opposition to the goals of the Peace Corps. We are becoming the ‘The Ugly American’ again.”

George Gamble, Research Anthropologist, New Mexico (Gabon 1962–64)

Would I join the Peace Corps to escape the political quagmire in this country and go to help people somewhere else in the world? Yes, you’re damn right I would! 

Kevin Dixon, Property Manager, Washington (State) (Colombia 1962–64)  

I had just graduated from the University of Denver, where I played baseball and basketball, and read about a Peace Corps project for teachers and coaches. Mildly interested — my mother had campaigned for Kennedy and met him on a number of occasions — I sent a letter expressing interest. I eventually received an invitation to train for a sports-related project in Colombia and took advantage of the opportunity.

I would not be comfortable joining the Peace Corps in the current political environment. The Trump administration personifies the ugly American — the very image we worked to overcome. I do not have any confidence that the service or talent we could offer would be acceptable or welcome anywhere in the world. 

Dee Gamble, University Teaching, New Mexico (Colombia  1962–64)

“Assuming the Peace Corps mission remained the same, I would likely make the same decision. I might have even a stronger urge to be of help somewhere in the world, as we watch many programs being pulled back. In hindsight, knowing that I would learn more than I would help, even this selfish reason for going at the government’s expense would be like getting a second master’s degree.”

Norm Olsen, USAID, Virginia (Colombia  1962–64)  

“I joined because I liked the concept of grass roots application of American energy, and I thought the Peace Corps would be a good place to start a career. And the Peace Corps offered an element of prestige.”

Working for a government headed by Donald Trump presents enormous ethical challenges. We had Kennedy, Shriver, Moyers, and hope. The present administration has Trump, Vance, Miller, and the threat of destruction to basic institutions. Saying ‘no’ might be the correct ethical answer, but we Peace Corps volunteers made to right decision to serve in 1962. That would still be the correct choice.”

Lisa Tollman Perbix

“I wish my dad (Tom Tollman, Colombia IV) could have responded to your questions. He would have written a beautiful tribute. I honestly think the Peace Corps were two of the best years of his life. He would have answered ‘yes’ to doing it again, even with the political leadership we currently have. His love of helping others was bigger than his dislike of Trump, which is saying a lot. The Peace Corps changed his life and mine.”

Takeaways

One was the influence of President Kennedy during the 1960s. Eight of the 13 RPCVs said he had an impact on their decision to join the Peace Corps.

Their answers reflect (at that time) a positive feeling about their country, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to serve — attitudes that were common among young Americans during the early 1960s.

None agreed with the direction in which the current president is taking the country. And they fear that the damage being done will not be repaired easily or quickly.

Previous surveys have shown that this group is generally on the same political page. But responding to the “would you do it again” question, they were divided. Seven said yes; six said no.

What would you say? Join the conversation on Peace Corps Connect +