My editorial about the effect Shriver had on my life... as tears well.

[w8liftinglady]

Recently,we lost a great American.In my lifetime,I was fortunate to meet him several times.I'd like to share a little piece of Sargent Shriver with you.

In 1964,Sargent Shriver was named the Director of the War on Poverty.During the Shriver years more Americans got out of poverty than during any similar time in our history.At a rally in New Haven,Connecticut I was met by a kind man while holding my mother's hand."Never lose hope in the good people around you". I will never forget that.

As Director of The Peace Corps,Mr. Shriver was so important to the concept of peace around the world.As Purple Heart veteran,he saw firsthand the true benefit of peace.He greeted my aunt as she was leaving for an assignment in Pakistan with the Peace Corps.In the midst of all this,he took the time to kneel and tell a seven year-old ..."Never lose faith in the power of love of your neighbor". I will never forget that.

17 years later, I volunteered at a Special Olympics event in San Angelo,Texas. Sargent Shriver,then President of The Special Olympics, came to our registration table and thanked us all for our support of ALL Americans. "You have made success a reality for these kids".I will never forget that.

Sargent Shriver showed through his actions what could be accomplished by a committed group of Americans.

Americans need a hero.

Sargent Shriver was mine.

[WillyT]

1. Thank You For That !!!

:grouphug:

:hi:

:kick: & REC !!!

[renate]

2. it's nice to think that his life must have been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling

Thanks for those sweet stories.

[yellerpup]

3. Sargent Shriver was a great human being

and an inspiration to many. Thank you for sharing your personal story with us. When I was fifteen I got one of the first "War on Poverty" jobs working in the school cafeteria before and after school. Making $1.60/hour in 1964 allowed me to pay our family's rent when my dad had a job working on commission only and my mom was earning $5 for a 12 hour shift cooking in a local diner. I will always be grateful and I will always be a democrat because of the hand up I received back then. RIP Sargent Shriver, American hero. :patriot:

Kick & Rec.

[w8liftinglady]

4. that's a great story

[gauguin57]

5. I hope you watched the wake last night, or the clips from the funeral today.

You will LOVE the speakers (both family and other dignitaries). George McGovern, Colman McCarthy, Bill Moyers, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, etc.

You can watch the whole wake service at C-Span:

http://www.c-span.org/Events/Wake-for-R-Sargent-Shriver/10737418971-2/

And there are lots of clips from the funeral today, on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/22/sargent.shriver.funeral/index.html?hpt=T2

I recommend listening to the Clinton and Biden clips, and the family clips, especially the eulogy from Mark Shriver and the touching story from Bobby Shriver.

We will not see Sarge's like again.

[Pool Hall Ace]

6. I agree, the wake is worth watching.

I especially was touched by Bill Moyers' words.

[w8liftinglady]

7. Moyers choked me up,too. excellent

[BuelahWitch]

10. Thanks for the link to the Wake

Watching George McGovern right now. Waiting for Moyers. :hi:

[blm]

8. beautiful

as always

peace to you, dear w8

[malaise]

9. I didn't watch the wake but I watched the

funeral service today - his children were amazing as were Clinton and Biden. I learned a lot about him today.

[joe_sixpack]

11. Shriver doesn't often get the credit he's due.

I consider him one of the greatest democrats of my lifetime.

[w8liftinglady]

12. obviously, so do I. he lived a full,great life.