What I Remember on May 29

 

"Ask not what your country can do for you. 

Ask what you can do for your country."

For those of us who grew up in the dinosaur years of the 1950's it's easy to remember the birthdays of two American Presidents. February 12 is Lincoln's birthday and February 22 is Washington's birthday. Presently the two days are lumped into one long weekend of shopping and known as President's Day, making a nice break in the middle of the winter. 

I first heard the speech inscribed on the monument above on January 20, 1961. There was a blizzard on the east coast and in a complete rarity, my father was home for the day. I sat with my parents in our den clustered around our black and white television set, watching  JFK's inauguration. I was mesmerized by the handsome young president, by his beautiful wife and by his extraordinary inaugural speech. I've heard a number of inaugural speeches since, but I don't think I can quote a line from any of them. 

In addition to Washington and Lincoln I remember one other Presidential birthday. Every May 29 without being reminded I remember that this is President Kennedy's birthday. He was born in 1917, the same year as my father, and both died much too young. My father at 63, and the handsome young president at only 46. 

In the waning hours of May 29 I remember John F. Kennedy and at least in photographic memory, visit his memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.  Very shortly it will be Memorial Day and our hearts and prayers will turn to those buried in Arlington and cemeteries throughout the world who gave their lives to protect our country. My gratitude and my thanks today and every day. May their memories be for a blessing. 

As ever, thanks for visiting.  

Fifty Six Years Ago

Ask not what your country can do for you...

Fifty six years ago today I know exactly what I was doing. I was in Miss Naylor's Home Ec class when I heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas. I can pretty much trace every step for the rest of November 22, 1963 fifty-six years later. I don't always remember what I had for lunch yesterday, but that overcast Friday is etched in my mind. 

As I was getting ready to write this post I thought about how I could make this "fresh." I thought for awhile and then I stopped trying. The day President Kennedy was shot is frozen in amber. My memories are those of my thirteen year old self. This day doesn't lend itself to new reflection. I am once again back in Home Ec, I am talking to Timmy Sullivan in the school yard -- now of blessed memory -- and watching television with my parents in the den and crying. Every year for 56 years I have mourned our handsome and inspiring 35th President. I have learned in those fifty-six years that time will go by, but the mourning is never ending. 

"And so, my fellow Americans:

Ask not what your country can do for you,

Ask what you will do for your country.

John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address,

January 20, 1961

Fifty Years Later Random 5 Friday

Today's Random 5 Friday isn't really very random. I've had this post in the back of my mind for the last few weeks. I always remember November 22, 1963 and there's nothing else I can write about today.

1) It was the central event of my younger life and one of two days I remember in almost complete detail. The other is September 11, 2001.

2) I was in the eighth grade at the Sarah J. Rawson School in Hartford, Connecticut. I was in Miss Naylor's Home Economics class when I heard the news that the President had been shot and in Miss Weinstein's French class when I learned that he had been killed.

3) I loved President Kennedy and even at a young age hoped to make my career in public service. I was thrilled that we had a president who was from New England and had followed the election avidly.

4) I still have copies of "Life Magazine" that were published in the weeks after President Kennedy was killed. They have no archival value, but I can't part with them.

5) I've been to the Kennedy Library in Boston,  the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas and have made several trips to Arlington National Cemetery to pay my respects. The latest of these trips was in 2010.

I know that this is an unusually somber post for Buttercupland, but this is an unusually somber day.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take very good care of yourself.