1962: Craig O. Thompson served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ceylon 1 in Kandy and Colombo beginning in 1962



Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Craig O. Thompson can be contacted at craigtabrightwaterenterprisesdcom

Country of Service: Ceylon 1

Training Group: University of Pennsylvania, Summer 1962

Cities you served in: Kandy and Colombo

Arrival Year: 1962

Departure Year: 1964

Work Description:

P.E., Health Instructor at Dharmaraja (Kandy)and P.E., Health and Drama/Speech at Thurston College (Colombo). Weekly children's program, "Kiddie's Korner" on Radio Ceylon (with program's creator, Vernon Corea); created National Safety Seminar -- co-sponsored by the Apex Club of Colombo and held at the Tamil Union Oval, Borella (Colombo); wrote weekly "Safety First" column for the Ceylon Times; sponsored TB testing van for Thurston College students.

Other Countries you served in, Training Group Name Arrival Year, Departure Year, Work Description:

n/a

Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:

Hi Friends:

Some of you might be aware that, shortly after returning from Ceylon, I worked for Lucille Ball and Desilu Studios for several years (original Star Trek, Mannix, Mission: Impossible and many other shows). Became Artistic Director/Managing Producer for the Lucille Ball Studio Theater (on the Desilu/Paramount lot). Then, went back to Northern Arizona University for my Masters in Education and years of teaching and administrative work for the CA State Community College system (after teaching several years on the Navajo Reservation and co-directing the annual Navajo/Hawaii Cultural Exchange). I then spent nearly 25 years producing and managing cultural programs at the college/university/community level (from Bolshoi Ballet to Broadway touring productions, dance groups and touring symphonies, etc.) My suspense-thriller --"OMAR: A Novel on Global Terrorism"-- was published a month prior to 9/11. It won the International Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for "Best New Voice--Fiction." Obtain personal or gift copies by calling 1-800-BOOKLOG or go to Omar-Thriller(dot)com. I am honored since my style of writing has been compared to Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler and Ludlum, among others. Many have said "OMAR: A Novel" will make a great movie. It's currently being adapted to a screenplay (long process) while I work on other books. Also working with a management company, in Hollywood, to "attach" a director/producer and lead cast members to the project.

If you enjoy action adventure, suspense or historical fiction, it's all there. If you decide to read OMAR, call the publisher's customer service 800# (above) and request autographed editions (hardbound or softbound)...and they'll be happy to send one (or more for gifts).

Also writing a screenplay about my experiences while in Ceylon. It's actually a love story.

Beyond my writings, I keep busy with my business continuity planning and counter-terror consulting, workshops and talk-show interviews.

My wife, Jan, is in retail/wholesale lighting for homes and contract builders. She hopes to retire soon. We will celebrate our 42nd anniversary in November, 2008.

We have two wonderful granddaughters -- currently 12 and 7 both on local swim teams...qualifying for state). Between the pool, dance and other lessons, they keep pretty busy. And we have a step-grandson (6) and step-grandaughter (14) who are also very active and add more joy to our lives.

One daughter is a Dental Hygienist, married in '05 to a fireman, and our other daughter was a medical assistant to a neurosurgeon--now semi-retired (married to a managing partner of a Texas Roadhouse restaurant).

So we are wealthy with pride. No money...just pride. Would love to hear from any of you as time allows.

Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:

My peace corps days were wonderful. I highly recommend the program to anyone considering becoming a PC volunteer. It gave me greater depth, breadth and understanding of national and international issues, and serves me well in my professional life. It also provides a terrific perspective that I share with my grandchildren.

Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:

I'd enjoy hearing from anyone who has questions, or who served in our group.

Any message for returned volunteers?:

Don't stop upon returning to civilian life. Continue to use your abilities and new-found knowledge to contribute to the peace and security of our world. Dig in your heals and make this world a better place in which to live.

Originally posted: August 8, 2008

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