61 Years Ago

I can still remember exactly where I was standing and the horror I felt when I heard our next door neighbor scream out the window that the president had been shot. It was a very dark time in our country.

 

I was 7 years old. Came home from school and my mom was crying. Didn't really understand what had happened until later that day.

 

Lol. I think my Mom was like 10

 

In a sense, this had to be one of the most defining moments of the 20th century. My dad (born in 52) said he was at homecoming parade in Live Oak. Point being, as you said, everyone seems to know where they were.

 

I was sitting in my 6th grade class that afternoon. About a half hour before the last bell for the day. Our teacher got a message from the admin office. After she read it, she took a big gulp. She then told us the tragic news. Most of us were just 11 years old and it was hard for us to comprehend what had happened When got home from school reality set in. Mostly because the three networks of that time (ABC, CBS, NBC) had 24/7 news coverage of that day and the following three days.

Two days later (Sunday afternoon) my family and I were watching live TV and we saw Jack Ruby shoot Oswald in the parking garage of the Dallas PD.

The follow one or two days later we watch the burial of JFK on TV.

 

First grade at JJ Finley elementary school, about 6 blocks away from the Swamp. Entire school got sent home. I remember sitting in front of the b&w TV watching events unfold.

 

Some time in the late 80's I saw a mini series about the assassination. Ever since I have read a lot wanting some insight on what really happened. It is a rabbit hole I regret going down.

 

Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing Kennedy” is good. If you’re way down the rabbit hole it might not add much. And he doesn’t bring conspiracy theories into the book.
I remember the 25th anniversary they did a multi-episode series.

 

A light went out in the world that day. I remember the time and place with unwelcome clarity.

 

There are two reasons that we can choose from on why we have not found out what really happen on that day.

1. The assassination happened per the Waren Report, but many refuse to believe it.
2. Almost all of the players involved in that assassination have died. Dead men tell no tales.

 

This book made me stop reading anymore about it!

Blood, Money, and Power: How L.B.J. Killed J.F.K.
By" Barr McClellan

Nigel Turner's "The Men Who Killed Kennedy" was what kicked it off for me.
It ended after I read the book by Barr McClellan. "Blood, Money & Power: How L.B.J Killed J.F.K."

 

I was in second grade at Lake Forest. We had a substitute teacher that day. She briefly left the classroom and when she returned she told us the president had been shot. I remember turning and looking out the window and the sun was shining on the wall of the next wing of the school. We were sent home for the day. On Sunday we were watching TV when Jack Ruby shot Oswald. My younger brother had nightmares about Oswald being shot, I think primarily because they kept showing it over and over again in slow motion. Sad time for America.