I have served my country both as a soldier AND as a Peace Corps volunteer. Because of this perspective, I disagree with the National Review that Ms. Kerry's comments celebrating the PC, rather than the military, are "truly offensive."

In the Army, I carried a weapon. In the Peace Corps I carried an olive branch of hope and help. The "great American face," and what we need to project, is definitely the latter.

By PCV Ernie Lenz (dpc6682050001.direcpc.com - 66.82.50.1) on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 10:09 pm: Edit Post

Thank you, Patricia. I too have the privilege of being a double volunteer. I served 37 years active duty in the US Army, including service as a Special Forces medic and a Special Forces officer. I am presently serving as a PCV in the Healthy Schools program here in Guatemala. Many militray vets are serving and have served in the PC. We who know what war is about are trying to change many of the conditions what cause war.

I am very proud of both our militray and our PC volunteers. Our younger volunteers are just what JFK had in mind, when he founded the Peace Corps. May we volunteers honor his memory
Aloha, Ernie
Ernest J. Lenz,PhD,MPH
Col,US Army,Ret
Peace Corps Volunteer-Guatemala 2003-2005

By Russell Roberts (asoc11.soc.mil - 204.34.247.11) on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 3:03 pm: Edit Post

COL Lenz,

Been looking for you for a long time. Drop me a line at prospero37@aol.com

your long lost god-son,
Rusty Roberts, CWO (ret)
MAED

By Lynn Dixon Herrick (c-71-198-165-181.hsd1.ca.comcast.net - 71.198.165.181) on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 12:48 pm: Edit Post

Ernie -- Congratulations on your second career!! The OE community has been looking for you for quite a while. Please email me at ldh246@comcast.net.

Lynn Herrick
Recovering Librarian