Off hours, Diplomat families teach swimming in Baghdad, Battle of the Bulge
If you wondered what U.S. diplomats and their families do in their spare time in the exotic, less exotic and sometimes really difficult places where they live, here’s a partial answer.
They volunteer in their communities.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented awards Tuesday recognizing half a dozen American foreign service workers or their family members for outstanding volunteer work abroad.
Clinton said the award recognized those who “have furthered our nation’s diplomacy and development efforts.”
Recipients did everything from providing medical services to the poor and disadvantaged in Indonesia to teaching swimming to adults living under tight security in the Green Zone in Baghdad.
Laura Center, the spouse of a foreign service officer, has a master of arts degree in museum studies and has been volunteering at the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch.
The museum tells the story of the World War II Battle of the Ardennes, and especially the Battle of the Bulge, which began 65 years ago Dec. 16 and is considered the largest and bloodiest of the war involving U.S. forces.
Powell urges volunteering, says no role in Obama administration
Colin Powell wants you to help out more.
The former Secretary of State and Joint Chiefs chairman urged Americans on Friday to help out their country by volunteering, and pointed to a Web site set up by Barack Obama’s inaugural committee where they can find opportunities in their communities.
Powell said ordinary Americans could help Obama dig the country out of its economic rut by helping out in nearby schools or nursing homes.
“I think there’s a fervor for the new administration coming in, and I think the new president can tap into this fervor through this program,” Powell said at a news conference.
Powell, 71, served as Secretary of State for Republican President George W. Bush but endorsed Obama, a Democrat, shortly before the Nov. 4 election.
He said he had no interest in taking on a formal role in the Obama administration.
“I have not been offered a job and I’ve kind of made it clear that I’m not looking for a position,” he said.
I have the utmost respect for Colin Powell’s choice and the courage it takes to choose conscience over party. I do not see his endorsement of Barack Obama as turning his back on his party. I see it as Colin Powell using his brain. We have to admit that while he has done a couple good things, George W. Bush has failed the American People with his performance as President. And I think that is being pretty generous. And John McCain, while perhaps being one of our greatest living Americans and an exceptional Senator, would have been a horrible president due to his temperament, lack of intellect and awareness of American culture and society. I hope and believe that we have entered a new era of Politics where fear-mongering, paranoia and jingoism are replaced with integrity, fairness and rationality. But I can see by the messages left by Gypsy that we still have a ways to go before those values take hold. To suggest that just because we support Obama we have not gotten all the facts is intellectually weak and sleazy. I think Gypsy has been surfing the internets too much. The one where all the conspiracy freaks hang out, on the fringe.
