On Sunday, September 25, 2011, the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, D.C. had the distinct honor of hosting three events at Arlington National Cemetery commemorating 50 years of the Peace Corps. These events included a private wreath laying ceremony for families of fallen Volunteers at President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, an inspirational spoken and musical program at the Memorial Amphitheater, and a celebratory walk of flags across the Potomac River representing all 139 countries Peace Corps Volunteers have served. 

Appropriately, the day’s events were planned, funded and carried out entirely by volunteers. Throughout the year-long process, we relied on the values we refined during our Peace Corps service: patience, perseverance, cooperation, and, most of all, relentless optimism. 

The purpose of this page is to showcase not just the final product, but also the operation behind it. RPCV/W has a long history of leading Peace Corps anniversaries, and this page will preserve that legacy for future planners.

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In the winter of 1978 three RPCV’s from Latin America contacted Peace Corps Headquarters to get a list of all the local RPCV’s in the Washington area (K.Keefer, interview, March 27, 2013). They were interested in forming a regional group of RPCV’s, and in July 1979 110 RPCV’s met in the Tyber Island apartments to form a regional group then known as the ACTION Alumni Association of Greater Washington D.C (AAAGWA)(J. Hettgar, interview, March 9, 2013). Before this meeting, RPCV’s had started to organize themselves around the regions that there served (Latin America, Africa, North Africa and Asia). African Agenda was largest such group and 70 members were present at the first meeting. In the early years, many of the leaders of AAAGWA/RPCV/W had been members of African Agenda (K.Keeffer, interview, March 27, 2013). In 1982 AAGWA was renamed Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington D.C (RPCV/W).

In the early years of AAGWA/RPCV/W’s existence, the group was able to help organize and participate in the 20th Anniversary and 25th Anniversary of Peace Corps. These events helped energize and organize the RPCV community, and after the big 25th Anniversary event many regional and country groups were formed (R. Landram, April 4, 2013). Also during the early 80’s the President of RPCV/W testified before Congress about the Budget for Peace Corps in FY ’82 (K.Keffer, interview, March 27 2013). RPCV/W created a list of 5 recommended changes to Peace Corps, and 3 out of 5 recommendations were enacted into law shortly after they were proposed (R. Landrum, interview, April 4, 2013). In 1985 the annual membership fee was changed from $3.50 to $15, where it stands today (R. Landram, April 4, 2013).

In 1991 RPCV/W helped to organize the 30th Anniversary, and also helped organize a smaller 35th Anniversary in 1996 (J. Permetti, interview, May 8, 2013). In January1993, RPCV/W marched in President Clinton’s first Inaugural Parade. While the 35th Anniversary was smaller in size, Madeline Albright was the keynote speaker (J. Permetti, interview, May 8, 2013). RPCV/W continued to grow in numbers, holding popular monthly Speaker Series events, where members would get personalized tours of the Botanical Gardens, The Smithsonian Museum and the National Archives (J. Permetti, interview, May 8, 2013). RPCV/W was also highly active in raising money for Peace Corps Partnership Programs, and general recruitment for the Peace Corps (J. Moore, May 14, 2013).

In late 1999, RPCV/W started to plan for the 40th Anniversary in 2001. By the summer of 2001 a large weekend long celebration had been organized, and the newly elected president of Peru, Alejandro Toledo was set to be the keynote speaker (M.Wolfson, interview, March 15, 2013). Sadly and understandably, the events of Sept 11th caused the 40th Anniversary to be postponed. The 40+1 anniversary was held in June 2002, with two days filled with events (L. Martin, Nov 13, 2012). In the past decade RPCV/W has marched in President Obama’s first Inaugural Parade in January 2009, and had a very successful 50th Anniversary celebration in 2011. 

Additional sources

RPCVW_History_Start-to-1986.pdf

RPCVW_History_Notes_-_2011_Correspondence.pdf

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Any RPCV should be able to spare 15 minutes to meet with another RPCV who is interested in pursuing a similar career path. 

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