Dear Editor:
It was refreshing to read in the News Tribune of "a young boy growing up in the middle of Missouri, to a retired 60-something still searching for peace." Otto Rieke's new biography was the main topic of the article.
"Searching for peace" seems, at best to be illusive. Youthful idealism can become jaded. The search seems to approach the impossible.
It is also refreshing to have found an organization which believes in peace. Object number four of Rotary is "The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service."
Recently, in New Orleans, at a Rotary International convention, I had the pleasure of sitting next to a Pakistani Rotary District governor. I inquired about Rotary in Afghanistan. I had read a couple of years ago about a new Rotary club in this war-torn nation. To my surprise, the gentleman reported to me that his Rotary District included three clubs in Afghanistan. Rotary is alive and well in Afghanistan.
This is but the tip of the iceberg. In the City of Jefferson local Rotary clubs have hosted international exchange programs for many age groups. On the worldwide level we are on the verge of eradicating polio with the help of many international organizations.
Eradicating polio is difficult, creating world peace seems impossible. The difficult we can handle. The impossible takes a little longer.
For information about Rotary you may call me at 636-2135 or go to rotary.org. For information about the book review, which inspired this letter, you may go to ottorieke.net.