As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (1962-1964) I mourn the passing of a great leader. And I wish you hadn't included the scene at his wife's funeral. That was unnecessary.

My condolences to Maria Shriver and all her relatives at the loss of Robert Sargent Shriver. He inspired me to join the Peace Corps and changed my life forever.

In it's 50th year, the U.S. Peace Corps continues to have a direct impact on the lives of millions around the world.
Serving as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Central African Republic changed my life forever. Reading my journal today brings back so many vivid, real world memories of my time in the Peace Corps. Memories of people struggling to make a better life for themselves and their families. Memories of witnessing birth and death within hours of each other. Memories of the mother I saw rinsing, wringing and reusing condoms until they simply could not be used any more. At that point she gave them to her infant son to chew on -- as if they were bubble gum. Where do you start educating people like her on the health dangers she is exposing her family to? You start with the Peace Corps.

Thanks to the foresight of President John F. Kennedy and the initial leadership of Robert Sargent Shriver, thousands of Americans have had the unique opportunity to work with millions in small towns and villages all over the world -- trying to better living conditions.

I only hope I taught the people in my small village a fraction of what they taught me. They touched my life in ways I am still discovering -- 20 years after my service ended.