President George W. Bush will meet Edward and Jane Bardon upon arrival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Tuesday, August 26, 2003.  In September, the Bardons will travel to Turkmenistan to begin their two-year service as Peace Corps volunteers.  Throughout their lives, 70-year old Edward and 68-year old Jane have sought opportunities to serve. 

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation.  President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like the Bardons, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

The Bardons, who have been married for 48 years, are native Minnesotans who have previously volunteered abroad.  During the summers of 2002 and 2003, they served as volunteer teachers in Russia and Romania, teaching English as a second language while living with a host family. When they learned there was no upper age limit to serving in the Peace Corps, the Bardons signed up to travel to Turkmenistan as Peace Corps volunteers. There, they will spend the next two years working in the area of health education.  Turkmenistan is one of several countries that has re-opened Peace Corps programs since the President's 2002 call to service and proposal to double the size of the Peace Corps, 

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility.  Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to volunteer service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world.  This summer, the USA Freedom Corps is helping individuals, families, and groups find opportunities to volunteer in their own neighborhoods or on vacations away from home through the new “How I Spent My Summer” initiative.   More information on these opportunities is available at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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