Oh Tim. I am gutted with the memories of so long ago. To quote, as your title, Mrs. Kennedy, is remembering her as a poignant visionary with grace and dignity that has not been captured in decades. Your writing allows one to feel that moment of history in this moment of history. With the pain and tears of today, yesterday’s tragedy reminds us that there will be better days ahead and change is inevitable in this constant flow of life. Thank you this is such a beautiful essay.
Incredibly well written - I felt as I was there. I learned details I had not known before. Thank you for this piece. It will stay with me for a very long time.
This brings tears to my eyes as I recall all of my feelings as a sixth grader, learning this news in Ms. Welch’s reading class. One boy in our class jumped for joy to learn that the president had been killed. I sat completely stunned, not really believing what I had been told. It wasn’t until I walked into our front door and saw my mother in front of the television that I knew it was true. We both sobbed. The happy times were full of hope and promise and indeed joy, but that never seems to last does it.
Thank you for bringing the President’s prescient words back to us. And thank you for your thoughtful hope in these soon to be turbulent times. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
Brought me to tears as I imagine many here can or did as well. Long ago, but still moving and unforgettable. In 40/50 years, many of us will be gone, and only recounts, and photos left for history. Like they say, 100 years from now all will be different. It's been about 60 years since that horrible day.
A beautiful reminder of a horrific day in our political history. The speech we did not hear resonates with a message that needs to be heard today.
“America’s leadership must be guided by the lights of learning and reason or else those who confuse rhetoric with reality and the plausible with the possible will gain the popular ascendancy with their seemingly swift and simple solutions to every world problem.” He was to continue, “There will always be dissident voices heard in the land, expressing opposition without alternatives, finding fault but never favor, perceiving gloom on every side and seeking influence without responsibility. Those voices are inevitable.”
This speech is a foretelling of where America is today. The truth is not one man's vindictive view. America belongs to ALL of us who have made it great throughout history.
On that day, I had only arrived in the United States one month and two days earlier, October 20, 1963, I was 12 years old. I remembered the name John F Kennedy as the man that started the program “Alliance for progress “ for economic and development in Latin America. On that day I didn’t speak a word of English but, I understood the gravity of the situation.
In Sept of 1960, I was 7 years old. Our family of 6 had just driven up the Alaska highway from Los Angeles, my father in search of work. Our mother, a Canadian of birth and a naturalized U.S. citizen, loved JFK and his message. She created, with the help of her 4 children, a banner which read, "Alaska welcomes Kennedy".
Senators Kennedy at the time was to speak at a $100 a plate dinner at the Edgewater hotel near Anchorage.
As Kennedy entered the hotel, we, the children ages 11, 7, and twins who were 3 held the banner near the entrance of the Edgewater. Kennedy stopped, shook our hands, was smittened by the twins in their Alaska parkas and went into the hotel. Then he gave a critical speech on his vision of the world for the future.
I read the speech, researching the archives of the Kennedy Library.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for that memory. Also for never losing hope for my grandchildren's future and using the time left in my life to continue to struggle in the fight for that future
Simply seeing that photo was enough to make my heart feel so heavy. What a dreadful day that was for the world, not just America. And make no mistake, the same forces who didn't like the momentum of civil rights for women, lgbtq people & people of color in 1963, are still here today in 2024 hell bent on the same erasure of those progressive & enlightened steps forward. John F Kennedy's murder will be avenged by us never ceasing in our endeavor to keep the torch of liberty burning for all of us.
Tim, that was incredibly well written. President Kennedy was assassinated on my 8th birthday. I was in the 3rd grade, and the principal announced over the intercom that he was dead. My teacher started crying, and within minutes, school was dismissed. When I arrived home, my grandmother was crying, and when my parents, and older brother came home, they were crying too. The finality of death isn't something that an 8 year old can grasp like adults do. I remember watching the funeral on TV with my family, but I don't remember specifics. I've watched it many times as an adult, and I often wonder what my 8 year old mind was thinking. Thank you for bringing those memories back, it's an event that should never be forgotten by younger generations.
Oh Tim. I am gutted with the memories of so long ago. To quote, as your title, Mrs. Kennedy, is remembering her as a poignant visionary with grace and dignity that has not been captured in decades. Your writing allows one to feel that moment of history in this moment of history. With the pain and tears of today, yesterday’s tragedy reminds us that there will be better days ahead and change is inevitable in this constant flow of life. Thank you this is such a beautiful essay.
Incredibly well written - I felt as I was there. I learned details I had not known before. Thank you for this piece. It will stay with me for a very long time.
This brings tears to my eyes as I recall all of my feelings as a sixth grader, learning this news in Ms. Welch’s reading class. One boy in our class jumped for joy to learn that the president had been killed. I sat completely stunned, not really believing what I had been told. It wasn’t until I walked into our front door and saw my mother in front of the television that I knew it was true. We both sobbed. The happy times were full of hope and promise and indeed joy, but that never seems to last does it.
Thank you for bringing the President’s prescient words back to us. And thank you for your thoughtful hope in these soon to be turbulent times. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
Brought me to tears as I imagine many here can or did as well. Long ago, but still moving and unforgettable. In 40/50 years, many of us will be gone, and only recounts, and photos left for history. Like they say, 100 years from now all will be different. It's been about 60 years since that horrible day.
Happy Thanksgiving week. JDF
Excellent piece. Thanks
A beautiful reminder of a horrific day in our political history. The speech we did not hear resonates with a message that needs to be heard today.
“America’s leadership must be guided by the lights of learning and reason or else those who confuse rhetoric with reality and the plausible with the possible will gain the popular ascendancy with their seemingly swift and simple solutions to every world problem.” He was to continue, “There will always be dissident voices heard in the land, expressing opposition without alternatives, finding fault but never favor, perceiving gloom on every side and seeking influence without responsibility. Those voices are inevitable.”
This speech is a foretelling of where America is today. The truth is not one man's vindictive view. America belongs to ALL of us who have made it great throughout history.
On that day, I had only arrived in the United States one month and two days earlier, October 20, 1963, I was 12 years old. I remembered the name John F Kennedy as the man that started the program “Alliance for progress “ for economic and development in Latin America. On that day I didn’t speak a word of English but, I understood the gravity of the situation.
Wow, thank you for this Tim. Powerful words to live by.
In Sept of 1960, I was 7 years old. Our family of 6 had just driven up the Alaska highway from Los Angeles, my father in search of work. Our mother, a Canadian of birth and a naturalized U.S. citizen, loved JFK and his message. She created, with the help of her 4 children, a banner which read, "Alaska welcomes Kennedy".
Senators Kennedy at the time was to speak at a $100 a plate dinner at the Edgewater hotel near Anchorage.
As Kennedy entered the hotel, we, the children ages 11, 7, and twins who were 3 held the banner near the entrance of the Edgewater. Kennedy stopped, shook our hands, was smittened by the twins in their Alaska parkas and went into the hotel. Then he gave a critical speech on his vision of the world for the future.
I read the speech, researching the archives of the Kennedy Library.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for that memory. Also for never losing hope for my grandchildren's future and using the time left in my life to continue to struggle in the fight for that future
Simply seeing that photo was enough to make my heart feel so heavy. What a dreadful day that was for the world, not just America. And make no mistake, the same forces who didn't like the momentum of civil rights for women, lgbtq people & people of color in 1963, are still here today in 2024 hell bent on the same erasure of those progressive & enlightened steps forward. John F Kennedy's murder will be avenged by us never ceasing in our endeavor to keep the torch of liberty burning for all of us.
Appreciate the article. But what I really appreciate is the instagram posts of your "friends. "
Thank you.
Tim, that was incredibly well written. President Kennedy was assassinated on my 8th birthday. I was in the 3rd grade, and the principal announced over the intercom that he was dead. My teacher started crying, and within minutes, school was dismissed. When I arrived home, my grandmother was crying, and when my parents, and older brother came home, they were crying too. The finality of death isn't something that an 8 year old can grasp like adults do. I remember watching the funeral on TV with my family, but I don't remember specifics. I've watched it many times as an adult, and I often wonder what my 8 year old mind was thinking. Thank you for bringing those memories back, it's an event that should never be forgotten by younger generations.