Remembering JFK's assassination is easier if you were alive then

The Union Leader, Manchester, NH ^ | 11/17/03 | JOSEPH W. McQUAID

[Kenton]

I was a senior in high-school. I had gone to the library during 7th period, and I first heard rumors going around the library.

The next period was Social Studies class, and that's when they knew enough to tell us about it.

[Fresh Wind]

I was a Sophomore in high school. Heard hallway rumors and expressed disbelief. Then, once in class (Latin), it became obvious that it was not a rumor. I chose to make an inappropriate, politically motivated comment which I regret to this day (I was in my youthful right wing period-I swung pretty far left once in college!). School was dismissed, and I walked home and my mom was just sitting there in a state of shock.

After 40 years, we still aren't allowed to know the truth.

[DooDahhhh]

I was 18 and attending Stephen F Austin college at the time; was in the parking lot of a fast food joint and heard it on the radio.

[yarddog]

I remember it well. I was standing on the arcade when a fellow student told me he had been shot. This was in the Florida Panhandle and Kennedy was extremely unpopular.

Within a few minutes students were clearly happy. I then noticed that after the first wave of elation, people had time to think about it and the mood changed. I began to hear sentiments such as, I am glad he was shot but hope he doesn't die.

I noticed one girl sitting down sobbing quietly. It struck me that she was one of the rare Catholics in out area.

We were told over the school intercom later that he had died. The mood then had completely changed. Just about everone was sorry to hear it.

[nuconvert]

"Remembering JFK's assassination is easier if you were alive then "

Wow, Really?

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I was alive then (2 years and 1 month old), and it doesn't make it any easier for me to remember.

[b9]

Sixth grade, right after lunch...Shirley Palmer and I were
washing our hands in the little girls' room when a girl came rushing in saying the president had just been shot. "Yea, right" we giggled..."just like Abraham Lincoln?"

Then, out on the playground it was surreal. One teacher was sobbing as she walked with her arm around a bewildered student. From there, everything was slow motion...

[FrogMom]

Freshman in high school. Our crabby, never-seen-to-smile social studies teacher came into the class late (also unheard of), in tears. Announced that "the president is dead". Don't remember much about the aftermath, except watching the funeral procession on TV.

[paulklenk]

Remembering JFK's assassination is easier if you were alive then

And harder if you were dead.

"People ask me where I was when Kennedy was shot. I tell them, I don't have an alibi!"

[uncbob]

My first Prez election I yanked the lever for JFK (knee jerk democrat family)

I have regretted it ever since

[The Radical Capitalist]

Third grade in a Catholic grade school.

I was coming back to school after going home for lunch. On the playground, I saw a neighbor kid who was 2 or 3 grades above me. He told me Kennedy was shot and I didn't believe him.

Went into the classroom and one of the first things the teacher said was she had heard that kids were spreading a rumor that the President was shot and she wanted it stopped. Just then, an announcement came over the shcool's PA system. The Principle, in a weepy voice, said that the President has been shot. She put the mic up to the radio and broadcast the news to the rest of the school.

That afternoon, when I got home, I knew that what had happened was important and I wanted to have some way of remembering the day. In the basement was a rubber stamp with moveable dates. I set the dates to NOV 22 1963 then got a sheet of typing paper. (When was the last time anyone heard the phrase "a sheet of typing paper?!)

Anyway, with great concentration on what I was doing, I stamped the paper with the date and said to myself, "There. Now I'm going to remember this moment and this date and what I was doing forever."

Forty years isn't forever, but I still remember it. I also remember the next Sunday at my grandmother's house and what I saw happen live on TV, but I'll leave that for another time.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I was 3 years old too. We lived in a big apartment complex in Hyattsville Md. Lots of young folks, lots of kids. I remember it was silent.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Ha!

I got thrown out of second grade for yelling "Damned Kennedy!" when they announced he was shot.

In those days, small town Massachusetts was staunchly republican and hated the Kennedy vermin.

There were fights on the playground for a week afterwards between the Kennedy haters and lovers.

[jobshopper]

We were just starting to take a test in 9th grade earth science class when the intercom came on with the radio report. Also saw Ruby shoot Oswald on live (I think) TV.

Eric

[Genghis con]

I was stationed at McKee Barracks, Crailsheim, Germany 37th Armor. Entered the ordley room found the 1st Sgt screaming. That bunch of %@#)& blank blank Texans SHOT my prez. I had staff duty NCO that night. It was a very long night.

[redheadtoo]

I don't recall how I learned about Kennedy's assassination but I was only eight at the time. I recall my teacher draping black crepe paper streamers on the classroom flag as a symbol of mourning. I also recall watching part of the funeral.

When Jack Ruby shot Oswald, I was surprised at how upset everyone was about it. I asked my mother why Oswald's murder was not a good thing. She explained that he had never gone to trail and had his guilt proved in a court of law. She said that because of his death the assassination of the President would never be settled.

Was my mother right, or what?

[The Radical Capitalist]

Doh! Principal = Principle

[fml]

--Remembering JFK's assassination is easier if you were alive then --

Hahaha, everythings easier to remember if your alive. I forget everything that happened before I was born.

[leadpenny]

You wouldn't happen to have Napoleans autograph, would you?

Plenty of 'em. I was "Napoleon's Corporal."

[The Mayor]

I was 7, we were in school in Warren, Maine.

The announcement was made, teacher crying. We were dismissed
from school and watched black & white T.V. for days.
Watched live as Oswald was shot.