Senior Class trip to Washington, April 1968
My thoughts are in Washington today, but my memories go back to the first inauguration I watched. I remember vividly watching the inauguration of John F. Kennedy on that snowy day in 1961. My father never took off days from work short of something monumental, but my memory is that day was both a blizzard and a school snow day and we got to watch the inauguration as a family.
I don't remember a lot of the details, other than Robert Frost reading and President Kennedy's address. I'm not sure I can remember quotes from other presidential addresses, but "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country" is etched in my memory.
I've watched many inaugurations since then, but, without knowing it that snowy morning, this first one set the compass for so much that followed in my life and career. It reinforced my fascination with history and encouraged the career in government that would become the largest part of my working life.
My fervent hope is that children throughout America find the inspiration that I found sixty years ago and one day, they too, will be able to reflect on their American experience sixty years from now. G'd bless America.
As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.
