2011.01.19: January 19, 2011: John M. Bridgeland writes: Peace Corps just one part of Shriver legacy

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John M. Bridgeland writes: Peace Corps just one part of Shriver legacy

John M. Bridgeland writes: Peace Corps just one part of Shriver legacy

"After 9/11 when I met and talked with Shriver on a regular basis, I saw firsthand that he was truly larger than life. Charismatic, respectful of others, full of ideas and always ready to kid and laugh, Shriver expected everyone else to be larger than life as well through their service to others. He believed in the fundamental capacity of Americans to solve any problem in our community, country and world. You could feel how much he believed in it. In later years, when Alzheimer's impaired his short-term memory, I saw no change in his spirit. He was lively, full of laughter, and loving to the end. Unlike many of us in the opposite party, Sarge believed in big government and hence thought running for political office was a bigger platform from which to do great good. Overshadowed by his Kennedy relatives, he remained gracious to the end, worried more about others than himself, and arguably ended up influencing the lives of more people around the world than any other American of his time."

John M. Bridgeland writes: Peace Corps just one part of Shriver legacy

Peace Corps just one part of Shriver legacy

January 19, 2011

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Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver, who died Tuesday at age 95, has left us, but his extraordinary legacy lives on.

Fifty years ago this month, Shriver was directing a task force that led to the creation of the Peace Corps. He wanted it to be "big and bold," while others proposed a small pilot program. In the end, he got his wish - he got what he wanted for the country.

Think of it for a moment. The Peace Corps became the embodiment of a new way of thinking - that it shall be the public policy of the United States to send our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, and even grandfathers and grandmothers (there are Peace Corps volunteers well into their 80s) to serve for two years in countries around the world. Their purpose is to help people in other countries meet challenges in education, agriculture, conservation, health care and more. These efforts also show countries the compassion of America and help inform our own foreign policy.

Over the 50-year history of the Peace Corps, more than 200,000 volunteers have served in 139 host countries. Recently, our own Malaria No More partnered with Peace Corps volunteers in Senegal to distribute nearly 100,000 bed nets that are saving thousands of lives from deadly malaria.

While best known for the Peace Corps, Shriver went on to be tapped by President Johnson to run the "War on Poverty." For all its controversy and legitimate concerns about big government, Shriver created efforts that have touched millions of lives. Head Start has provided more than 22 million disadvantaged children access to good nutrition, health care and education for a better start in life. Jobs Corps has helped about 2 million young people 16-24 get the skills and training they need to find productive work. Legal Services for the poor, community service through VISTA, and many other efforts to help the vulnerable were Shriver's creations. With his wife, Eunice, Shriver engaged more than 3 million athletes in 150 countries in Special Olympics.

Unlike politicians, he never worried about issuing press releases to take credit. He worried about the people he was trying to help.

After 9/11 when I met and talked with Shriver on a regular basis, I saw firsthand that he was truly larger than life. Charismatic, respectful of others, full of ideas and always ready to kid and laugh, Shriver expected everyone else to be larger than life as well through their service to others. He believed in the fundamental capacity of Americans to solve any problem in our community, country and world. You could feel how much he believed in it.

In later years, when Alzheimer's impaired his short-term memory, I saw no change in his spirit. He was lively, full of laughter, and loving to the end.

Unlike many of us in the opposite party, Sarge believed in big government and hence thought running for political office was a bigger platform from which to do great good. Overshadowed by his Kennedy relatives, he remained gracious to the end, worried more about others than himself, and arguably ended up influencing the lives of more people around the world than any other American of his time.

For such a man's closing, there is only Shakespeare: We shall not see the likes of him again. But his legacy can live on if we follow his example by lighting the civic fires of action. Sarge would want us, in remembering him, to find our own ways to help those most in need and in the process save ourselves.




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Headlines: January, 2011; Figures; USA Freedom Corps; Shriver





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Story Source: Cincinnati.com

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; USA Freedom Corps; Shriver

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