Bono's tribute to Peace Corps founder

Bono sings 'Psalms 98' during the funeral service for R. Sargent Shriver in New York at the weekend. Photo: Reuters

January 24 2011 04:48 AM

HIS 19 grandchildren read short remembrances, U2 frontman Bono led mourners in singing 'Forever Young' and fond memories and laughter filled a funeral service for R. Sargent Shriver, the 95-year-old statesman laid to rest at the weekend.

Mr Shriver, the Peace Corps' first director who also ran the 1960s War on Poverty and served as a running mate on an ill-fated Democratic presidential ticket, was buried on Saturday in Massachusetts.

Mr Shriver, who had Alzheimer's, died last week in his native Maryland. At Mr Shriver's service, mourners from Vice-President Joe Biden to former president Bill Clinton paid tribute. First lady Michelle Obama and talk show host Oprah Winfrey also attended.

"I was a student of the Sarge way of doing things," Bono said. Bono founded the Red Campaign with Mr Shriver's eldest son, Bobby, to fight AIDS in Africa.

Mr Shriver was buried alongside his wife Eunice Kennedy Shriver.