FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 22, 2003
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Kathleen Mynster
202-456-7381
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President Bush to Recognize St. Paul Couple for Dedication to Volunteer Service |
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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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