| Operation Friendship originated in 1964. It was the brainchild of The Rev. Wallace Shaw, an American Minister at St. Margaret's Church of Scotland at Glenrothes. It was his desire to develop a youth exchange enabling the youth of one country to learn the different cultures of other countries and develop friendship around the world.
The invitation to participate in the idea was started in the Autumn of 1964 by Mrs. David Anderson who shared it with her pastor, Rev. Robert L. Blackwell, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Kearny, New Jersey. Soon afterwards it was extended to the Second Congregational Church, Palmer, Massachusetts through it's pastor, Rev. Guthrie Swartz.
The first delegates of Operation Friendship travelled from Scotland to America in 1965. They were hosted at Kearny, New Jersey and Palmer, Massachusetts. The following year youths from New Jersey and Massachusetts visited Glenrothes, Scotland. Operation Friendship was up and running.
Growth was rapid. Americans visited Sweden in 1968 and Ireland in 1970. We now have twelve participating countries: United States, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Sweden, Holland, Germany Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Ukraine.
During the spring of 1974 the first International Meeting was held in Scotland with delegates from each participating country present. The first International Constitution was written in August the same year, at a meeting in Ireland.
Throughout it's growth, Operation Friendship's prime goal has remained: "To encourage international friendship and understanding among youth and adults, both foreign and domestic and to introduce members to the industrial, social, educational, religious and secular heritage of each member country."
The basic programme has remained the same. A three week home stay in which the visiting youth becomes a part of the family and participating in a programme designed to introduce the guest to all aspects of life in the host country.
October, 1977 saw the first meeting of Operation Friendship held on Anglesey / Ynys Mon although exchanges had taken place since the summer of 1975. These have continued ever since, being a two part alternating programme - the first year hosting followed by travelling the second year. Eligilbility to travel is to host and be between the ages of 15 and 21 years.
Over the years a strong link has formed between America, Europe and Anglesey / Ynys Mon. Each year is a new challenge, but as Operation Friendship grows so does the enthusiasm of it's members, families and friends.
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