On MLK day I had the opportunity to serve with my teammates at the "Service Nation National Day of Service Breakfast." We had a packed house of around 1,200 of individuals and volunteers (who later painted a school and worked at RFK Stadium for the day) who came to listen to quite the list of speakers: MLK Jr. III kicked it off, also Congressmen John Lewis--a former Freedom Rider, Spider Man's Tobey McQuire, Ashton Kutcher, and Demi Moore. My favorite part was a round table discussion about public service that was moderated by TIME magazine's Richard Stengel. First Lady Shriver (who's brother I had drinks with TWO days earlier--random!), an AmeriCorps Alum, and two other California politicians.Service Nation is part of the coalition that is lobbying for the Kennedy-Hatch Bill that will expand the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps in response to the growing interest of you people to serve (and avoid looking for a job in a recession!). President Obama hopes this bill makes it to his desk (and it will given it's support in committee) because he would like to double the size of the Peace Corps. President Kennedy once stated that he envisioned 100,000 serving at a time--far more than currently serve.
And as for inauguration day itself, what is there to say? I gave in and bought some hauker's last "I was there" button. It was cold and crowded (so many people it was hilarious! All you could do was laugh!). Some people were rude. Some people couldn't stop crying. But all that aside, it was one of the most memorable experiences in our country's modern times. I am grateful that I was given the chance to feel that upswell of "American-ness" in a time of celebration, rather than tragedy.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky that in our short lifetimes, to date, we have had the chance to experience, possibly more so observe, such varying extremes of national pride.
ReplyDeleteThe emotional roller coaster leaves me curious about what will come.