Where were you when President Kennedy Was Assassinated?
This is a very interesting reflection topic and one that most anyone that was old enough to recall the assassination would remember for the rest of their lives. This question is similar to ones I've seen about 9/11. Of course I remember nearly every moment of the day of 9/11 as I am sure that those that were alive clearly remember the day President Kennedy was assassinated. Although I was not born yet when President Kennedy was assassinated, this does not mean that the day has lost significance with me.
In my early 20's I was fortunate to be able to travel most of the United States. During my travels I always visited historically significant places, museums, etc. While in Dallas, TX, one of the places I visited was the "X" on the street where Kennedy was fatally shot and a very simple monument that is dedicated in his name nearby.
I have also visited Kennedy's Eternal Flame located at Arlington Cemetery. While visiting both places, I felt peaceful and thoughtful reverence to our lost president.
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Comments: 57
Boy there are a lot of youngsters on Gather!
Cathy
The odd thing was we had just seen Kennedy the day before. He made a swing through San Antonio. He was driving through parts of the city, he drove right by our school, all these little girls in blue and white uniforms lined the sidewalk on one side of the street, shouting and waving to him.
I would say at this young age that this was the closest that any of us had come to such a violent death.
Anyway, it was very distressing and frightening and the world seemed to be falling apart and into some black hole like Lincolns' time and so many emotions I hate to even think about it.
A side note: some historians have credited the emergence of the Beatles with filling the resulting void left in America after Kennedy's assassination. The sudden hysteria of Beatlemania provided a positive distraction from the pain and sorrow of JFK's death for kids like myself (and perhaps even our parents as well.) I know that I have always considered Beatlemania as the beginning of really good things in my little life, as it came on the heels of a horrible event in American history. All I know for sure is that those two events have left an indelible mark on my life.
I remember lennon being shot, I saw Challenger blow up live on TV and I saw the twin towers fall live on tv too. Worst day of my life.
I also remember the Murrah building in OK and Ruby ridge and that nut Jones making everyone drink kool-aid.
what the hell is wrong with people??
I also recently read Doris Kearns Goowin's, The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys: An American Saga . Kennedy's assassination is among the saddest events of my life, and it is no less sad today than it was the day it happened - primarily because of his ability to galvanize the talents and efforts of the American population. No one has been able to do that since. Indeed, Lloyd Bentsen could have spoken his famous words, "I knew John Kennedy. John Kennedy was a friend of mine, and Senator, you're no John F. Kennedy," to every one of our leaders since. I fear the innate leadership of John F. Kennedy will never be matched.