Happy Birthday, Sargent Shriver!
When Sarge came to visit us within months of our arrival in Ethiopia in 1962, he brought positive energy, appreciation…
Rowland Scherman (PC/W Staff photographer 1961-64) writes:
“Here’s the guy who started and ran the Peace Corps, R. Sargent Shriver. I was the first PC photographer, 1961-63. There will be more about this wonderful guy in future Substacks.”
If only everyone who entered politics had Sarge’s common sense, bravery, sensitivity, spirituality, intelligence, and charm.
I can personally vouch for what Rowland Scherman said. I corresponded with Sarge while I was in Ethiopia from 1962 to 1964. I was impressed that Shriver sent me detailed and respectful answers to my questions. Later in his life (and mine) Mr. Shriver contacted me in October 2001. I had published an opinion in the L.A. Times after the 9/11 Al-Queda attack in Manhattan. In my column, I suggested that the only answer to hatred on this scale must be to recognize, as Peace Corps volunteers do, that our common humanity must outweigh the differences among people. Sarge invited me to come to Washington D.C. for several days, where I helped him draft legislation for a new “Fourth Goal” of the Peace Corps—to promote co-existence and peace among people from different cultures. Sadly, the legislation failed to pass and Sarge succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease soon afterward.
When Sarge came to visit us within months of our arrival in Ethiopia in 1962, he brought positive energy, appreciation and support for all we were about to do. Still have a beautiful photo!!!