Eunice Kennedy Shriver Funeral in Cape Cod

by Jordan Yerman | August 14, 2009 at 11:05 am

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Eunice Kennedy Shriver's funeral took place today, as friends and family arrived to pay their respects to the founder of the Special Olympics. A team of 100 Special Olympians served as honor guard as Shawn Heffernan carried the Special Olympics torch into the Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Cape Cod.

The funeral service was broadcast live on television, and many celebrities were in attendance, including Stevie Wonder, Jon Bon Jovi, and Oprah WInfrey, as well as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with his wife Maria SHriver, wo is Eunice Kennedy Shriver's daughter.

Shawn Heffernan, 27, of Orleans, wore his Special Olympics medals around his neck while he carried the Special Olympics torch in the procession to the church.

“I was very excited," said Heffernan, who is developmentally disabled. Asked about the Special Olympics, he said, "It was about more than competition. It means so much more."

"If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be here today," said Michael Bogdan, 28, a Special Olympian who competed in swimming and track and watched the procession.

The public wake, held at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church, was yesterday.