Mailbox of peace

Section 2. Happiness & Hope Mai lbox of Peace 062 063 Korea Foundation & US Peace Corps KF COVID-19 Survival Box Gratitude Letter Col lection I ’ d like to take this opportunity on our Thanksgiving Day to offer my sincerest thanks to the Korea Foundation for your thoughtful and generous gift of Covid supplies and Korean memorabilia . Among the many precious and carefully selected items in the survival box , there were two that particularly touched my heart : the many sincere com- ments and earnest expressions of gratitude regarding Peace Corps / Korea included in the Information Guide and the thumb drive video summarizing the Peace Corps experience in Korea . Both evoked so many of the feelings I hold dear about my experiences in Korea and I couldn ’ t help but shed a few tears . Such wonderful memories from so many decades ago . I arrived in Korea in the summer of 1967 as part of the second Peace Corps group , spending two years as a middle school English teacher in Yesan and Cheonan . I had little expectation of making much of an impact through my work but was eager to help where I could and to learn from my Korean colleagues and friends . Indeed , I learned far more about life and personal relationships than I even imagined . Korea changed my whole perspective on myself and my future and I have been involved with the country , its culture and its people ever since . I ’ d also like to thank the Los Angeles Korea Foundation office , its then - Director Kim and staff member Amy Choo for the excellent support extended to our Peace Corps , Korea 50th Anniversary Reunion in 2016 . It was a very special event made more special by your organization . I would also like to express my appreciation to the Korea Foundation for help- ing sponsor a visit to Korea for my late son , Aaron Moore , then a professor of East Asian Studies at Arizona State University , and assisting him in efforts to establish a teaching position in Korean Studies within the Department of His- torical , Philosophic and Religious Studies at ASU . ( Incidentally , Aaron ’ s mother was one of my teachers at Yonsei University ’ s Korean Language Institute .) I can ’ t tell you how much my relationship with Korea has meant to me over the years . The Covid gift package is emblematic of all that Korea has become during these many decades and how much it cherishes it historic and cultural values emphasizing generosity , reciprocity and enduring friendship . In closing , I have attached several paintings that I ’ ve done over the past several years that are based on my experiences in Korea over the years . ( They were painted from photos taken by myself , fellow volunteers , and friends .) I hope you enjoy these as part of my expression of appreciation . Yours truly and best wishes , Stephen Moore