At yesterday’s Serve America Act (or Kennedy-Hatch Act) Hearing, Senator Hatch commented on one of my favorite public figures in recent history–Sargent Shriver. Before marrying into the Kennedy family and becoming brother in-law to, then, future President John Kennedy, Shriver seemed to be on the brink of his own political candidacy in Chicago. When President Kennedy recieved more letters of interest from young people about the Peace Corps–volunteering to serve abroad for a program that did not yet exist– than he did federal job applications, he put Shriver to work. As the first Peace Corps Director, Shriver toured the world establishing partnerships for Peace Corps programs. From Connecticut Avenue, he worked to refine the volunteer admissions process, making sure volunteers were fit for service. And, he spent time in the field listening to the challenges and triumphs of those early Peace Corps volunteers.
Although I will leave for the Peace Corps in September, I was not familiar with the story of Sarge until I met Chris Myers Asch. As some of the other interns and myself make our way through Shriver’s 750 page biography, “Sarge,” we are constantly referencing Sarge in our work. My copy of the book is black and blue, not because it’s bruised, but because it has become an impromptu journel of both my time at the Public Service Academy and Peace Corps preparation. “Sarge” will be going with me to the Peace Corps, and I urge (as Senator Hatch did yesterday) anyone interested in public service to pick up a copy.
Erica Burman, Director of Communications, National Peace Corps Association responded on 12 Mar 2009 at 5:54 pm #
I knew that Sargent Shriver started the Peace Corps (there is a hardcore group of his earliest volunteers and staff members that reveres him) but until I picked up “Sarge” I had no idea of all his *other* contributions to American life: Head Start, Legal Services, his involvement with Special Olympics, serving on the Chicago School Board. What an amazing–and largely unsung–legacy of service. Thanks for this post.
Gene responded on 12 Mar 2009 at 6:07 pm #
As a current applicant for the Peace Corps, I now plan to go pick up this book this weekend and can’t wait to read it!
Thanks for the information.
-Gene
Melissa Stuart responded on 12 Mar 2009 at 6:08 pm #
Erica,
You are absolutely right! I am still trying to figure out why the American public doesn’t no more about this man who, under slightly different circumstances, could have become President himself. Humility, I suppose is the answer.
It’s like Sen. Dodd always says. He served in the Peace Corps because his country asked him to, not for the glory. Sarge served the Peace Corps because Kennedy asked him to. Sarge served the Special Olympics because his wife asked him to. Sarge served on the School Board because someone asked him to.
Right now, Obama is asking young people to serve. I hope they choose to serve in not just national service programs, but government service too. Maybe we need to start asking them to a little more.
Melissa Stuart responded on 12 Mar 2009 at 6:11 pm #
Gene!
It is a must, I guarantee it will only get you more excited about serving by helping you understand where this program came from and what it has been through.
Happy reading!
JD responded on 19 Mar 2009 at 4:00 am #
Too many PCVs have gotten hurt, injured and even killed in the field. Studies from the GAO show that sending these kids over there tend to hurt more than help. It may be a “transformational experience” for college grads who ski in Switzerland and can barely do their own laundry, but it’s at the expense of people who have to drag a helpless American around for a year and also an expense to hardworking American taxpayers who give their hard-earned money so some college kid with a BA in History can screw around in Botswana, pretending they are being helpful when they can hardly grow alfalfa in a jar. It’s ridiculous. You should just have mom and dad fund your “transformational experience” or get a job at McDonald’s and save up for your “eye-opening volunteerism.” You’re just screwing around while on the equivalent of welfare.