Acevedo is proud to march in the inaugural parade for the new president, whom he hopes will bring the country back on track. "Obama brings a totally new light and hope, not only for the United States but for the world, to bring change and come back to values and the image the U.S. is supposed to have with more of a just type of government that is able to understand and deal with other cultures from the point of their cultural values," said Acevedo, a native of Colombia. Acevedo was part of the first group of Peace Corps volunteers and the first group to be received by President John F. Kennedy at the White House before being sent to Colombia, South America where he served as a community development volunteer from 1961 to 1963. Since the first group of 64 went to Colombia in 1961, about 50 continue working together to help different groups and foundations in Colombia. "We help with the health and education in the country and grant small business loans and scholarships for kids to go to college," he said. "In a sense, it seems we have been Peace Corps volunteers all our lives."
Colombia RPCV Martin Acevedo to march as Peace Corps Volunteer in Obama Inauguration Parade
Ashland Peace Corps volunteer headed to inaugural parade
By Kathy Uek/Daily News staff
The MetroWest Daily News
Posted Jan 11, 2009 @ 10:26 PM
ASHLAND —
Representing more than 180,000 Peace Corps volunteers who served during its 48-year history, Martin Acevedo was selected to participate in the inaugural parade as part of the National Returned Peace Corps Association.
Some of the 200 marchers will carry the flags of the 139 countries and wear elements of the national dress of those host countries. Acevedo has offered to carry the Colombian flag and may wear a tropical straw hat, a ruana (a cape over his shoulders) and white trousers.
The volunteers expect to assemble at 7 a.m., Jan. 20, go to the Pentagon for screening and march in the afternoon.
In announcing the participation of the Peace Corps community and the AmeriCorps alumni in the parade, President-elect Barack Obama said, "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service. Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade."
Acevedo is proud to march in the inaugural parade for the new president, whom he hopes will bring the country back on track.
"Obama brings a totally new light and hope, not only for the United States but for the world, to bring change and come back to values and the image the U.S. is supposed to have with more of a just type of government that is able to understand and deal with other cultures from the point of their cultural values," said Acevedo, a native of Colombia.
Acevedo was part of the first group of Peace Corps volunteers and the first group to be received by President John F. Kennedy at the White House before being sent to Colombia, South America where he served as a community development volunteer from 1961 to 1963.
Since the first group of 64 went to Colombia in 1961, about 50 continue working together to help different groups and foundations in Colombia.
"We help with the health and education in the country and grant small business loans and scholarships for kids to go to college," he said. "In a sense, it seems we have been Peace Corps volunteers all our lives."
Peace Corps needs around the world have changed since Acevedo first served four decades ago.
"It's not as basic as before," he said. "There is a need for more medical technology and business creation and to expand more technical and advanced areas to fulfill the needs of the people in the countries to create jobs."
After serving with the U.S. Army and graduating from the University of New York at Oswego, Acevedo joined the Peace Corps.
"President Kennedy moved a lot of people into action," he said. "I thought perhaps it was my time to do something different and serve other people."
Acevedo's youngest daughter, Emily, also served with the Peace Corps. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, she served as an agricultural adviser in the republic of Paraguay from 1996 to 1998.
