Rod's induction speech

With all the talk of a reunion going on, I was reminded of Rod's speech at our PC induction. I don't know about anybody else, but I was incredibly moved by his words that day. I recently asked him if he still had it; he did, and he sent me a copy via e-mail. I read the words again this week and was once again stirred by the hopeful message. I thought I'd post them here.

"As many different reasons bring us to this moment today as there are members of this group. But underlying them all is that quality within each of us which considers the well-being of others not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

"It is that quality, after all, that binds us together, one to one, that gives us a shared identity, that makes us each part of one another. It’s the essence of the knowledge and compassion that is a part of each of you that permits us to penetrate the darkness of prejudice and fear. If these past 10 weeks together with each of you has taught me anything, it’s taught me that. I

"We begin a great adventure today, a quest that shall forever alter our perspective about our world and ourselves. The trip will not be easy. Each of us have abandoned the search for security in our lives and have reached out enthusiastically to the risk of living with both arms.

"As new members of the Peace Corps we accept suffering as a condition of existence and accept doubt and darkness as the cost of knowing. But as we’ve come to know one another the past 10 weeks, we are stubborn and we are apt always to the total acceptance of every consequence of the harsh realities around us.

"The task we are about to undertake will test the skills and abilities we bring from our diversity of experiences and education. And yet, it is exactly that diversity that is the basis for our work here.

"The oath we take today signifies our willingness to engage a world struggling to improve the quality of life for all people. Ours is a destiny fraught with uncertainties. But we know we are not reserved. We are so much more that a corps for peace. We are an alliance for opportunity. We are a council for optimism.

"And so we gladly accept the challenges inherent in this oath, tempered by the reality that our success will be not be measured by how well we do our jobs, for each of us has dedicated ourselves to this mission. Rather, our success will be measured by how well we adapt and overcome the challenges that come our way.

"It is a beginning for us today. Let us find the courage and resolve so that every tomorrow enables us to experience the joy of growth and maturity, the splendor of achievement, and a vision of hope for the future.”