Connie Lawn: Camelot and Woodstock

Two recent events mark the passing of the eras, but also represent hope for the future. The events are the death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 88, and the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. Both mark pivotal times in the history of many of us. While we pay tribute to them, we are still staying strong, vital, and contributing to society. As they say in the recent health care debate, “no one is going to pull the plug on Granny yet.”

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was one of the strongest of the amazing Kennedy Clan, and was the founder of the Special Olympics, which has millions of supporters around the world. The nine Kennedy children included President John Kennedy, Senators Robert and Ted, and many other sisters and brothers. She is the Mother of Maria Shriver, who is married to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California. Eunice was married to Sargent Shriver for nearly 60 years. He was a successful businessman, and founded the Peace Corps under President Kennedy. Sargent has advanced Alzheimer’s disease, and may be unaware of his wife’s death.

Ted has had many tragedies, triumphs, and crises in his life, such as the drowning of his aide after a party on Martha’s Vineyard Island in Massachusetts. That doomed his Presidential chances, but he persevered, and went onto become one of the great leaders in the Senate. He is now battling brain cancer, and is not expected to live much longer. Ted was able to visit his sister in the hospital, as she lay dying. But, he could not attend her funeral Friday in Cape Cod, the traditional gathering place of the Kennedy Clan. Ted’s absence is sorely felt in the present debate over health care reform. He is one of its fiercest advocates, and is a tough political infighter in the Senate. If a true health care reform bill ever passes the Senate, it is expected to be named after him. But, he may not be around to see it.

Eunice Kennedy was a skilled politician in her own right. Brother John said, she would have been President, had she been a man. As it was, she played a major role in the Congressional and Presidential campaigns of her brothers. She was very close to her sister Rosemary, who suffered from seizures and other problems as a youth. Finally, as a young adult, her father decided to impose a lobotomy on her. It left her in a near-vegetative state. This had a major impact on Eunice and on the other Kennedys. Eunice sponsored sports events for children who have developmental challenges. Her first summer camp was in her home in 1962. She recruited wealthy children to volunteer and work with poor, disabled children from the inner city of Washington, DC. With her driving ambition, the Special Olympics grew each year, and there are teams around the world. The competitions take place on their own, or after the regular Olympics. The Special Olympics are separate from Paralympics, which are open to athletes who have physical, rather than mental disabilities, but there are often over laps. The Special Olympics are now supported by the five children of Eunice and Sargent Shriver. A few of the Special Olympians took part in the funeral of Eunice, standing with the Kennedy Clan and with famous people from around the nation.

While the mourning was underway for Eunice in some quarters, in others there was celebration of life, music, peace, and harmony. Thousands flocked to the original area in New York State, where the three day Woodstock Festival was held in 1969. Other Woodstock celebrations were held around the country, and in other parts of the world. Celebrants replayed the music and the dance gyrations of the 50’s and 60’s. There were probably some drugs around, but there was not the rampant exercise of drugs and free love that existed in the 60’s. Many of the adherents of the 60’s movement continue to love music. We still advocate peace, love, and harmony. Many of us are married, settled, and productive. The younger generation finds it hard to believe we were the wild, experimental youth of the 60’s. For the record, I did not go to Woodstock, and did not do drugs or smoke. But, I fully adhere to the ideals of that generation. We were all trying to make the world “a better place, and give peace a chance.” We are still trying, but have met many more failures than victories!

Connie Lawn has a passionate love for NZ. She worked for Radio New Zealand for 20 years, and then for Radio Live for a few years. Connie has covered the White House and the world since 1968. Her other passion is skiing, and she calls herself "the skiing White House reporter." Her ski stories are on dcski.com and other outlets. Connie is also heard on thousands of radio stations, but firmly believes the internet is the future. She can be reached at connie@scoop.co.nz

© Scoop Media