“The willingness of all Americans, men and women, young and old, to serve in the Peace Corps, to serve in all parts of the world, to serve with little pay, to do jobs that most of them have never done before, is one of the most encouraging manifestations of American spirit that this country has seen in many years.
The Peace Corps gives us a chance to show a side of our country which is too often submerged - our desire to live in peace, our desire to be of help. I hope that in the coming months and years that many of you will follow the example of those who have gone forth. They, I think, are serving this country well, and in a very real sense and they are serving a larger cause- the cause of Freedom and the cause for a peaceful world.
They’re demonstrating their interest in people who may live on the other side of the globe, who may live in poverty and misery, but who, because of the presence of the Peace Corps, live in hope. I hope this spirit will grow, that hundreds of others of young Americans, and older Americans, will go overseas to show our best side. To show how much we desire to live in peace. There can be no greater service to our country and no source of pride more real, than to be a member of the Peace Corps of the United States.”
John F. Kennedy, 1961
