crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

A PIVOTAL DAY



"Get the radio on. Kennedy's been shot!"
I’d phoned my mother. We still hoped not
the worst would be true. After all
the years since then I can still recall
what she replied to me and the way
she said it that long ago autumn day.
It still stands out like yesterday in my mind
and others all say the same, I find.
"Someone shot Kennedy,” a friend had said.
We soon learned it was in the head!
It was immediately after that,
we all turned our radios on and sat
down for the breaking news that so soon
would seem to end our youth. That afternoon,
after a pause, Chet Huntley's voice would hover
in the room and our minds as it came over
the radio. Chet Huntley said,
"The President of The United States is dead".
We stood in silence. Physically, we were fine
but like never before chills ran in our spines
as we walked around in horrid disbelief.
John F. Kennedy was our Commander-in-Chief.
He had a special place in our hearts.
We were like balloons shot with darts.
Our lives have been divided by that day
and after that everyone would say
the same. Good times would come after
but that day changed our laughter.
At the funeral the hymns were sung again
but we knew we'd never be young again.
More than a generation has now gone to its grave
and those who have come since are unable to save
memories they do not have. They can't perceive it
and I'm sure that they could not believe it
could happen. A half century later, it’s still
hard to accept that a madman could k**l
and deliver to eternity and the fates
The President of The United States.

Mike Easterday

I was born in January of 1963. Not even a year old when that happened.

Forkbassman Loc: Missouri

I remember it well, a senior in HS. He was the last dem POTUS to cut taxes.

Auntie Dee

I remember it well. I was in Ft Worth, my hometown when this happened, JFK spent his last night in FW and delivered his last speech there that very morning. When I heard it on TV, I immediately went to the phone to call my husband & found that all the phone lines in that entire part of Texas had been turned off, lasted several hours.

All who were alive will forever have that time etched in our souls & I am a lifetime Republican.

It was so unbelievable that it could happen at that time in Camelot. Unfortunately, with all of the discord in these times, most would probably not even be stunned if it happened again, indeed many would probably rejoice!

Auntie Dee

I remember it well. I was in Ft Worth, my hometown when this happened, JFK spent his last night in FW and delivered his last speech there that very morning. When I heard it on TV, I immediately went to the phone to call my husband & found that all the phone lines in that entire part of Texas had been turned off, lasted several hours.

All who were alive will forever have that time etched in our souls & I am a lifetime Republican.

It was so unbelievable that it could happen at that time in Camelot. Unfortunately, with all of the discord in these times, most would probably not even be stunned if it happened again, indeed many would probably rejoice!

Auntie Dee

Why this repeated I do not know, I only hit SEND once!

EN Submarine Qualified Loc: Wisconsin East coast

Had already completed my active duty Navy time. Discharged and on duty at a power plant when I got notified I had a phone call with the news.
Got home from work in time to see Ruby take out Oswald on live TV.
Sad day for America.

steve66613

Sad day for the Democrat party.....it died with Kennedy.

EmilyD

That has happened to me a couple of times. I think it's just a programing glitch here. There is another site that is very similar to this one - same program format (called "Knitting Paradise") - and the same thing happens there too.

Patsaco1

Rest in peace Me President. You were one of a kind!

waltmoreno

I'd just joined the Navy 6 months earlier, had finished boot camp and was In Jacksonville, Florida in Aviation Ordnance school. Heard the news while I was on watch.

SGM B Loc: TEXAS but live in Alabama now

I was a Sophmore in HS, little town of 250 in Oklanoma. Fairly even mix of Republicans and Democrats - the entire town was shocked. I never saw so many people hugging and crying. One old woman was the exception. She said she was glad he was gone but didn't want him shot. Made me wonder, if she didn't want him shot, why was she happy he was dead?
Sad day,
SGM B out.

crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

I'd supported Nixon in 1960 as did most of my area of Bayside, New York. We accepted Kennedy and there was no doubt he loved America. Few Democratic nominees have since. There can me no doubt that Obama doesn't nor does Hilary nor do almost all of the current batch of Democratic candidates; Tulsi being the obvious exception.

I add that just about all of the liberals on OPP don't either.

crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

Thanks for the responses guys but what did you think of the poem?

okie don

Ya got that right Steve.
Last really brave dedicated to our country Democrat President they have had IMHO.