Sargent Shriver -- November 1915 - January 2011
Sargent Shriver passed away Tuesday, January 18, 2011. As a political force behind the scenes, former Ambassador to France, and Founder of the Peace Corps, calling him heroic is an understatement.
Whether one supports Shriver's politics or not, it is impossible not to acknowledge the profound contribution to the world this patriarch of the Shriver-Kennedy family made.
Sergeant Shriver started the Peace Corps, which provides talented youth a chance to give something to the underprivileged around the world. In addition, among his many contributions to the less advantaged, the more well known are the Job Corps,
Head Start, VISTA and Upward Bound. He served tirelessly to improve the situations of people of color--African Americans and Native Americans, especially.
He married into the famous and political Kennedy family, contributing his clout and influence significantly to the election campaigns of the Kennedys.
His wife was the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver (sister to Jack, Bobby and Ted; mother of Maria Shriver), who started the Special Olympics.
He is also known because his daughter Maria Shriver married Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former body builder-action hero and former governor of California. The Republican governor complimented his father-in-law's great contributions in a testament to the respect carried across party lines.
Sadly, he contracted Alzheimer's in the 1990s, but his phenomenal legacy remains for posterity. He changed American life and impacted the world.
He will be missed by family, friends and the countless nameless citizens of the world whose lives he profoundly affected by his generosity of spirit and high moral character.
May Sargent Shriver rest in peace, alongside his wife of over fifty years who passed away two years earlier. May those loved ones who suffer the loss of this great American hero be comforted.
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