I was bored to tears surfing the channels and I stumbled upon the wake and memorial service for Sargent Shriver, who died this past Tuesday at the age of 95.
Sargent Shriver was the first director of the Peace Corps, running mate to George McGovern in 1972, husband to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and so forth.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was the sister to John F. Kennedy, of course, and founder of the Special Olympics. In addition the Shrivers had 5 accomplished children, and 19 grandchildren, so it looks like the legacy of public service will go on for a few more generations.
The service was really amazing and can be seen on C-Span here:
Service for Sargent Shriver Jan 21, 2011
In addition to the eulogies given by George McGovern, Christopher Dodd and Bill Moyers, one of the things that really struck me was the end when Maria Shriver and her 4 brothers got up. They referred to their parents as Mummy and Daddy. It was pretty cool. (I used to cal my dad ‘Sir’) Anyway, at the end Timothy Shriver recited some of his father’s thoughts that he dictated to his son one day over lunch later in his life. The full text that appeared in the eulogy program is below.
In part, he said:
‘I believe in faith, hope and love.
I believe that they have the greatest power.’
The legacy of Sargent Shriver is his great faith, his love of a woman, and the fruit of a marriage that produced these 5 amazing children, and throw in the Peace Corp and Special Olympics. That’s what I’d call a power couple.
To find out more about the children of Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver:
The Most Likable Kennedys
I AM A MAN
I am a man who was born and has tried to live committed to being open to all people, no matter their differences in nationality, race, religion, or geography.
I am a man who is full of energy and health.
I am a man who takes his responsibilities seriously. I am committed to doing everything I can to succeed.
I am a man who is original and creative.
I am a man who is unencumbered by the past and by existing hierarchies. I feel free to invent.
I believe the world was and is created by God. I believe the world is good beyond description.
I believe that we human being who seek life, liberty and pursuit of happiness do so because God has given us these things. They are a gift.
I believe that we have a responsibility to God to do whatever we can to do good things for people, especially the poor.
I believe in ideals. I believe that world can be better if only we focus on achieving our ideals.
I believe that any failure to achieve our ideals should only result in rededication to them.
I believe in faith, hope, and love. I believe that they have power.
Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr.
Washington, D.C. 2002
And lastly, as I was poking around, I found some really cool photos that I’d like to share:
