In four days of emotional filled ceremony, more grand than those for any Presidents and fit only for Royal kings of the ancient past, on Cape Cod, in Boston, and in Washington, DC, the country said farewell to Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, He was the youngest son of a star-crossed family who gave their four sons all in the service to their country (one in WWII, Two by assassinations, and the last after 47 years of public service). As it was poignantly said at his service, “John Kennedy inspired the country, Robert Kennedy challenged her, but Teddy Kennedy changed the country.  In over 1000+ pieces of legislation that bear his name, his work over close to five decades in the US Congress on immigration, labor, health care, children, and every aspect of social welfare touched everyone in this country.  

Ever since the diagnosis of his brain cancer 14 months ago, his passing was more or less expected. Thus, unlike the death of his two brothers which were surprises, his memorial and funeral services had months to plan and prepare probably even with his own participation. Four living Presidents, Speaker of the Congress, Representatives from foreign governments, celebrities from the arts and sciences (e.g. Stevphen Chu and Yo-Yo Ma), 150+ of his extended family for which he was the patriarch, and countless grateful citizens from all over America and the world participated in churches, in front of the US Congress, in the National cemetery in Arlington, and along the routes from cape Cod to Boston to Washington paid their respects and thanks.  It was unprecedented.

His oldest son said it well “My father was not perfect, but he believed in redemption and never surrendered”. What a man, what a wonderful country. I am privileged to have lived my adult life from starting out to retirement  in Massachusetts during this period and can call Kennedy my senator.