President John F. Kennedy hands a pen to his brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver, after signing a bill giving the Peace Corps permanent status in this September 22, 1961 file photo. Shriver was appointed the Peace Corps’ first director
Maria Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger and other loved ones carry the casket of Sargent Shriver into Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church
Caroline Kennedy escorts first lady Michelle Obama into Our Lady of Mercy Catholic church
Former President Bill Clinton, Senator John Kerry, first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden attend the funeral mass for Sargent Shriver at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Potomac, January 22. Shriver died January 18 at the age of 95
Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul
Bono of U2 sings “Psalms 98”
Wyclef Jean sings “Psalms 98”
Anthony Shriver holds up a photograph of his father, R. Sargent Shriver
Bill Clinton comforts Anthony Shriver during the funeral Mass for his father
Andrea Mitchell
Former Democratic presidential nominee Senator George McGovern
Chris Matthews
Lynda Johnson Robb, right, daughter of former President Lyndon Johnson
William Kennedy Smith speaks with Ethel Kennedy, widow of the late Robert F. Kennedy
Cokie Roberts
Anthony Paul Kennedy Shriver (L), Bobby Shriver (2L), Timothy Perry Shriver (3R), Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and other mourners carry the casket of Sargent Shriver
Glen Hansard and Stevie Wonder
The Obama Diary 
Thank you for this Chip.. what a long life he lived.. and look at all the wonderful tributes he received. A personal anicdote: In 1968 at the tender age of 11-12- I attempted to join the Peace Corps- it was a BFD back then, thanks to President Kennedy, Sargent Shriver and Bobby Kennedy. This brings back a lot of childhood memories for me.
That’s so sweet trying to enlist at 11, Sheri…
What does BFD mean…?
Hi Chi- thank you.. I was so interested in the world and Bobby especially had an impact on me. BFD (remember Joe Biden’s comment after the healthcare bill was signed?) it was a popular acronym in the 70’s as I recall, stands for Big F***ing Deal 😉
Ah, I see Sheryl…
That was so funny, I can’t stop laughing now…
And here I was trying so hard to figure out what it stood for…
Hey, you all are having too much fun. I want to have some of what your having. Do we know why the President did not attend?
God bless the Shriver and Kennedy families. They have enriched this country in ways we can’t begin to count.
Amen!
They have indeed done great and enduring things for this country and America is greater and richer for having the Shriver and Kennedy families…
May God rest his soul, and grant all their departed eternal rest…
Yes they have.
I wanted to watch his service on the CNN live feed but it would not work. I guess too many people was attempting to watch it. Maria looks beautiful. These were some amazing people. I am still learning of their incredible contribution to our society.
Awww… Joey thanks Grandpa for the great head of hair…and I’m sure a great head under it. 🙂
Seeing these pics brings back memories of Sargent Shriver and the Kennedys. I always thought that he was one of the handsomest men in America. I also remember that he was a friend to Frank Sinatra, Sr., Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and a lot of other celebrities, but he somehow always remained a well-grounded person. This may have been a part of what president Clinton was referring to when he commented that he wondered how anyone could always be so good. Sargent Shriver was a man who gave of his time and money for the things he loved. He was, and will always be, an example of what is best about America.
I’m particularly struck by the very simple wooden casket…
A striking metaphor for the simplicity and humility of this very wealthy and influential family who could have easily chosen differently…
I remember watching that documentary of Ted Kennedy after he died…
I had a new found respect for the goodness, decency and call to real public service stressed and instilled in many in this family…
May the next generation be as genuine and dedicated to the ideals of true service…
Great observation, Chi. I didn’t even notice that. He’s departing the same way he lived his life: simply, yet poignantly.
I was part of the “Kennedy generation” and glad to be so! I remember the proposal of the Peace Corps, and the thousands of people responding to the call. Sargent Shriver was an extraordinary person, and his legacy will live on.
I was so glad to discover this website! I think I first found it on a link on The Daily Kos. I live in a very red state, and it is such a relief to read the positive remarks. This president doesn’t brag, preen, swagger, smirk, belittle….he respects everyone and treats everyone with respect. I believe that eventually his example will get through to people, and they will respond in the same way. That is what I pray.
The Kennedy-Shrivers are part of the scrap book of my life: nine when JFK was killed, I rmember where I was and the events that followed; 13 when RFK was killed a few months after MLK and my world shattered; saw this country and the world expand with the peace corps, war on poverty, special olympics, etc.; watch Ted grow from troubled times to a great statesman; grew with Maria to find my own voice. So many of the touchstones of my life involved this family. More than anything, I admired S. Shriver for his steadiness of character as a husband and remarkable father.