Mailbox of peace

Section 3. Love & Fr iendship Mai lbox of Peace 068 069 Korea Foundation & US Peace Corps KF COVID-19 Survival Box Gratitude Letter Col lection I first stepped foot on Korean soil fifty four years ago – it was in September , I believe , of 1966 . As part of the first group of young Peace Corps men and women to arrive , I would be assigned to teach English at the Euijongbu girls middle and high school . That two year experience was life changing and the beginning of a connec- tion that created a golden thread that has woven its way into the fabric of my life . From there I went on to graduate school in Asian Studies at Harvard , then on to Peace Corps headquarters staff in Washington , DC and then back to Korea as director of the Pearl S . Buck Foundation for a few more years . My eldest daughter , Christine , was born in Seoul during that time . In 2008 I attended the first “ revisit ” program and went on to serve on the board of directors of the Friends of Korea for five years . With the help of the Foundation and your government , I curated the Peace Corps / KOICA pho- to exhibit here in the US that traveled to ten cities and was displayed in the lobby of the US Senate . Later , for the Friends of Korea , I put together a DVD called “ The Korean Transformation ” which told the story of Korea ’ s struggles , efforts and suc- cess from the Korean War to present day . And most recently I helped to organize the 50th anniversary Peace Corps celebration and reunion in 2016 which the KF so generously supported . That Korean ‘ thread ’ remains bright , colorful and strong to this day . And by the way , my kids love Korean food . The Koreans are a warm and generous people that never forget . Recently I , along with hundreds of other Returned Volunteers , received an unexpected gift . There on my doorstep was a large box labeled “ Covid 19 Survival Box ”. It contained 100 medical grade face masks , face creams , protective gloves , ginseng candy , instant coffee , a fan , a set of beautiful silver chop sticks and spoons and a small booklet from you expressing your thanks for our ser- vice . “That Korean ‘thread’ remains bright, colorful and strong to this day” David Lassiter , K - 1 For this I deeply thank you . The most striking and memorable part of the package , however , was the thumb drive containing a beautiful and moving video of Korea ’ s remembrance of our service in your country . It brought back detailed memories and made me both laugh and cry . How deeply thoughtful and generous this was of you and the Foundation . This physical and emotional gift exemplifies the gratitude of Koreans for the sac- rifices and contributions so many Peace Corps Volunteers and staff made in serving your nation during its recovery from the Korean War . Now , during our shared battle with the Corona Virus , Koreans have reached out and reciprocated , lending us a helping hand . Today South Korea is a ro- bust , booming , successful democratic nation , a model of transformation – as you say , “ the miracle on the Han River ”. Like myself , many others treasure and have never forgotten our Korean ex- perience and how it changed so many of our lives . Koreans , too , have never forgotten . It is a great and beautiful gift we have given and continue to give each other . Please accept my deep appreciation and gratitude . David Lassiter