JFK ....Who remember??? (1 Viewer)

[sammy719]

Hi all,

Been reading a few books on JFK lately and thought I'd ask if there are any members who were around back then that can remember Nov. 22 1963??? what were you doing? where did you here the news of the shooting of the president??

 

[jazzeum]

I was 13 then and we were living in Brasil. I remember my Father coming home and telling us about it -- Brasilian TV was not always on -- and my parents were terribly upset. I believe I was too. All we did for the next four days was watch the coverage which, of course, Brasilian TV showed. I later remember buying all the US magazines like Life, Look and Time. There was also a special book published called Four Days, which I read countless time. I may still have it.

 

[jazzeum]

I should add that although I was Democratic as my parents were and I had been for JFK in 1960, I was not as politically aware as I became later on. Although the assassination was horrible, the death of RFK made a larger impact on me that lasts until this very day. I thought he would be the one to turn things around in 1968 and I went to sleep the night of the California primary convinced he was on his way. The next morning my Mother woke me for school and told me he had been shot. It was like our world had crumbled.

As I said, it made a huge impact on me. I can't watch or read anything about his murder and the loss to our country without getting upset. Even writing this, I still wonder what might have been? It's still possible that Humphrey might have won the nomination and Nixon the election but Bobby would have had his say. We will never know.

 

[lancer]

I was 10 years old and sitting in elementary school class when it was announced by our teacher. I don't remember if it came across the PA system, just the teacher. It made no immediate impression on me as a 10 year old beyond the fact I knew all the adults were upset. The later killings of RFK and MLK made much more of an impression on me as I was somewhat politically aware by then. I do remember watching the JFK funeral. In the years since, I have read many books regarding all the aspects of the killing and all the many conspiracy theories and have found many of them very interesting. Still not convinced Oswald could have acted alone, but that's just my natural distrust. -- Al

 

[sammy719]

I also have been watching the new series on the History channel "JFK Declassified tracking Oswald".....So far it has been pretty interesting, long winded at times pushing certain events but much better then the non-sense of last year's 'Finding Hitler" bs.

 

[Warrior]

I was two at the time, so my memory is a bit foggy on the events.

My Mom always says the iconic footage of JFK Jr saluting the casket as it came by saddens her as he was the same age as me at the time, he's gone now too and that bothers her...........................................

 

[jazzeum]

The following is a very good article about JFK, Trying to Remember JFK.

It's both a review of two recent books, one of them being The Road to Camelot by Thomas Oliphant and Curtis Wilkie (which has received some positive reviews), and the author's reminiscences of JFK.

 

[tdubel]

Was not alive! So all thoughts/conclusions, etc I have are my opinions formed from reading fact based reports, books, opinions, my parent's historical opinion, etc.

I find the footage of JFK Jr. saluting his father's casket to be one of the most profound images I have ever seen. Courage and angst for one so young, hard to imagine.

What I don't like is what I have learned about Joe Kennedy and his dealings and how a lot of the family came to prominence. Quite frankly, it is as disgusting as an any true crime thriller. I wholeheartedly believe they earned blood money, conspired with gangsters, etc. What is ironic is then the double crossing of the Mob. Look, I know and understand you can't believe everything you read, but there is a lot of smoke/fire that rained on Camelot. I look at things very black and white and to me, way too much dirt on the clothing and sleeves of the Kennedy family for me personally to hold in too high of esteem.

From a Machiavellian standpoint, they are the true epitome (in their eyes and focus) that the ends justified the means, or did they? Certainly one of the most fascinating points of modern US history and I fear that the full truth will never surface. End of day, they will be fondly remembered by a lot of people and disdained by the other half. Quite frankly and sadly to some extent, they will be forgotten by Gen Y, Z, etc. They will or have in some eyes become a footnote to history.

Cynical as ever
TD

 

[mestell]

I was 15 at the time and was sitting in a study hall at high school when his assassination was announced over the PA system. The Sunday after, when we came home form church we turned the TV on and saw Jack Ruby shoot Oswald as it was happening . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[jazzeum]

Was not alive! So all thoughts/conclusions, etc I have are my opinions formed from reading fact based reports, books, opinions, my parent's historical opinion, etc.

I find the footage of JFK Jr. saluting his father's casket to be one of the most profound images I have ever seen. Courage and angst for one so young, hard to imagine.

What I don't like is what I have learned about Joe Kennedy and his dealings and how a lot of the family came to prominence. Quite frankly, it is as disgusting as an any true crime thriller. I wholeheartedly believe they earned blood money, conspired with gangsters, etc. What is ironic is then the double crossing of the Mob. Look, I know and understand you can't believe everything you read, but there is a lot of smoke/fire that rained on Camelot. I look at things very black and white and to me, way too much dirt on the clothing and sleeves of the Kennedy family for me personally to hold in too high of esteem.

From a Machiavellian standpoint, they are the true epitome (in their eyes and focus) that the ends justified the means, or did they? Certainly one of the most fascinating points of modern US history and I fear that the full truth will never surface. End of day, they will be fondly remembered by a lot of people and disdained by the other half. Quite frankly and sadly to some extent, they will be forgotten by Gen Y, Z, etc. They will or have in some eyes become a footnote to history.

Cynical as ever
TD

I think that disqualifies you from the thread then:wink2: However, while what we found about the family over the years -- especially Joe Kennedy -- caused them a loss of prestige in the eyes of the public, I'm not sure that's what Sammy was looking for.

 

[tdubel]

I think that disqualifies you from the thread then:wink2: However, while what we found about the family over the years -- especially Joe Kennedy -- caused them a loss of prestige in the eyes of the public, I'm not sure that's what Sammy was looking for.

Very true, I cannot claim any historical or first hand knowledge to answer the original question! I can imagine and I know it was a heartbreaking time for the nation.

TD

 

[Larry Allen]

I was 11 and remember the moment very vividly. :redface2:

I had a friend over the house and we were playing with our Warriors of the World soldiers. I think it was 3:00 PM EST

Looking back it was a strange battle with Romans fighting WWII soldiers; Cowboys fighting Pirates; Civil War solders fighting American Revolution figures and so forth. But it was fun and that is all that mattered.

My mom was away shopping and my grandmother was there. All of a sudden she stated to cry and shout. Although I understood her words, but didn't grasp the significance of the moment. I also remember that she started calling family, friends and neighbors. That got me more scared than actual news. {sm2}

That night the entire family gathered at our house to watch the news.

A very sad day for this country and the world.

--- LaRRy

 

[Mirof]

I was 15, and in residencial school in Belgium, it was during the nigth for us,
The guy in charge of keeping us " under control" came and woke me up to tell me
Must say that we in Europe were also very concerned by this, first he was a very charismatic figure and second, the symbol of our shield against communism hegemonism .
Great guy

 

[Combat]

I visited the Texas School Book Depository and some of the assassination sights a few years back. The TSBD is surreal because it is so familiar and Dealey Plaza still looks almost exactly like it did on Nov. 22, 1963. Oswald is buried in Ft. Worth. The grave next to him was bought for some reason by a comedian who put a headstone on it for a fictional "Nick Beef."

 

[Leadmen]

I had a young family and was going to work on the afternoon shift at General Foods when I heard it on the car radio. What a shock. I liked JFK and saw him at the Sherman Hotel getting off the elevator on his campaign tour. Nice looking man. John

 

[Denver]

I was a HS Sophomore.
It is one of the days that will always seem like it happened last week.

 

[zblang]

Before my time and something I hope to never experience.
I think the closest I can come to the feeling was the assassination of Rabin. And it really doesn't come close to what JFK's must have been like for people