Ted Kennedy: a name that inspired millions

Robert and John F. Kennedy were the two brightest stars in the firmament. It would have been nice for Obama during his eulogy for Kennedy to acknowledge that he would never have become president but for the civil rights legislation that Jack and Bobby championed back in the 1960s, and that Teddy helped sign into law.

JFK, a war hero, will forever be the lost leader, the political giant cut down in his prime. Bobby will always be the leader America never had, a man of rare conscience and commitment who might have been the best president ever.

Joe Kennedy, Joe Senior’s oldest son, was killed in World War II after undertaking a bombing mission so dangerous that it was almost inevitable that he would never return. He died a true American hero.

On the female side o f the family, tragedy also struck. Kathleen Kennedy married British nobility (her mother did not approve and they became estranged) and was killed in a plane crash when she was just 28. Her sister Rosemary was brain damaged from birth and later had a frontal lobotomy, a treatment for mental illness at the time.

Jean Kennedy Smith went on to become ambassador to Ireland, a role she performed extremely well. Patricia Kennedy Lawford became a huge champion of the arts and helped establish the John F. Kennedy library.

The Kennedys had an incredible range of talents and achievements. Little doubt that the history of the 20th century in America will be writ large with the name Kennedy.

Now that we have lost the last politician, Teddy, the story of the Kennedy family begins to draw to a close. It is one that will inspire future generations to public service and helping the underdog. That will be their legacy for countless Americans.

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Nster.com