A Letter from

Mary Ann Orlando

Personal Assistant, Sargent Shriver

Oh what a legacy Sarge leaves --

Before most of his generation, he was involved with Civil Rights...

Before most, he was involved in quality education for the young -- even tried to introduce teaching a second language in public elementary schools...

Before most he was concerned about the stigma attached to those who were physically or mentally ill... and before most, he believed that those intellectually challenged could lead happy productive lives...

Before most he thought a Peace Corps could become a force for good and understanding in the world... that to call upon the best in ourselves had to succeed for others and for us...

Before most, he thought that a program designed to interrupt the cycle of poverty, if continued for two or preferably three generations, could develop contributing citizens with hope and desire to achieve... and help others to achieve...

He touched so many lives all over the world, and created paths for others to reach heights they never thought possible -- 

He was proud of his family, so deep in his faith, and so certain that almost anything can be accomplished if we are willing to work hard and long...

He was tough, demanding, impossible at times, but he accomplished all of this with ebullience, love, hope and laughter...

Oh, what a legacy Sarge leaves.