On November 22, 1963, I was a brand new Air Force 2nd Lieutenant. I had just arrived at my first duty assignment and was unpacking the meager household goods we had at that time into our upstairs apartment in Fisher, Illinois. My wife and I, both Young Democrats in college, had campaigned vigorously for John Kennedy. We were so elated when he was elected and so inspired when he gave his inaugural address. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” As I took empty boxes to a place of disposal, I learned of the President’s assassination. As I watch the films marking the 50th anniversary of that dreadful day, I relive the grief and sense of loss of that day and the days following. And now, even knowing now that John F. Kennedy had many human flaws, the tears come again. I appreciated the words of David McCullough expressed at the Dallas Memorial Service this morning relative to the old saving: “Gone but not forgotten”. Mr. McCullough stated: “Someone who is not forgotten is not really gone.” I hope this country will once again regain its footing and have some of the optimism that existed in the early 1960’s.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 19:33:07 +0000
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