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By Dave Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar
[Video by David Corrigan]
HILO, Hawaii: It was a special moment for hundreds of former Peace Corps volunteers gathering in Hilo on Saturday.
This monument to President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who signed the order establishing the Peace Corps, was relocated and re-dedicated here at the University of Hawaii-Hilo during a special ceremony.
The monument was refurbished and relocated from Hilo Memorial Hospital, the former main Peace Corps Training Center.
The dedication culminated in this chant by Kihei Nahale-a, and an emotional lei presentation.
After wards, attendees took part in a dinner program.
The event was part of a larger commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps, one of many events and exhibitions in cities across the U.S. and in each country where Peace Corps currently serves. In 1962, the Big Island of Hawaii was selected as a Peace Corps training center. 50 years later… here in Hilo, a reunion includes this ceremony, and a tour up the Hamakua Coast, with a trip into Waipio Valley – the first Peace Corps training camp – on Monday.
More video:
ABOVE VIDEO: The emotional memories shared by former volunteers from Nov 22nd, 1963… the day JFK was shot and killed.
ABOVE VIDEO: A Thanksgiving Day story, recounted by Jon Countess, about moving the monument to its current location… easier said than done!
Big Island Video News did a great job covering this event at the University of Hawaii in Hilo. I have already gotten tremendous feedback from both attendees, and from RPCVs who were unable to travel to Hilo. Thank you.