On Wednesday, after 10 grueling weeks of training, 27 new Health and English Education Volunteers from the Moldova 26 group took their oath, and with that, officially began their two years of service. As our Country Director, Jeffrey Goveia pointed out, it's the exact same oath of office every Federal official serving the United States takes.
One year ago Thursday I stood on a stage and repeated those exact same words; I'd already been in country for 10 weeks, had already begun working with Moldovan children and counterparts during practice school, was living with a host family, and struggling through my limited Romanian. But still, I remember distinctly the chill that ran down my spine when taking the oath. It was one of those rare moments of absolute clarity in life when one feels the full power of an ideal much larger than oneself behind one's actions, when that "something larger" you're a part of becomes so tangible it can be touched, if only briefly.
From here on out, it's now not just halfway, but less than a year to go. To all the M26s who just took that oath: savor it, it goes quicker than you expect. Also: congrats, you guys are gonna be great.
One year ago Thursday I stood on a stage and repeated those exact same words; I'd already been in country for 10 weeks, had already begun working with Moldovan children and counterparts during practice school, was living with a host family, and struggling through my limited Romanian. But still, I remember distinctly the chill that ran down my spine when taking the oath. It was one of those rare moments of absolute clarity in life when one feels the full power of an ideal much larger than oneself behind one's actions, when that "something larger" you're a part of becomes so tangible it can be touched, if only briefly.
From here on out, it's now not just halfway, but less than a year to go. To all the M26s who just took that oath: savor it, it goes quicker than you expect. Also: congrats, you guys are gonna be great.
2 comments:
Hey Zach,
Erin C asked me a question about the oath, which led me to do some research. In doing so, I came across some language from the Peace Corps Act, which I really appreciate. It states, “Upon enrollment in the Peace Corps, every volunteer shall take the oath prescribed for persons appointed to any office of honor or profit by section 3331 of title 5.” When you go to this section, it reiterates that this is an oath required of any person appointed to an office of honor. I appreciate this wording and the recognition of the fact that being a Peace Corps Volunteers means holding an office of honor. I couldn't agree more.
Reading the oath always gives me chills...
JG
Hey Zach,
Erin C asked me a question on the oath last week, and it led me to this quote from the Peace Corps Act. It states, “Upon enrollment in the Peace Corps, every volunteer shall take the oath prescribed for persons appointed to any office of honor or profit by section 3331 of title 5.” When you go to this section, it reiterates that this is an oath required of any person appointed to an office of honor.
I appreciate the Act's authors recognizing that Volunteers would be filling positions of honor. I couldn't agree more. The oath always gives me chills.
Thanks again for your work last week.
JG
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