Fifty years ago, on a Friday not too different than this one, folks were thinking about the upcoming holidays and the imminent onset of winter weather. Kids were in school anxious for the weekend, workers were in factories and shops, and housewives - the norm back then - were at home seeing to all the chores on their "to do" list, like ironing on the Ironrite, washing dishes by hand and waxing and dusting the furniture.
I was in the seventh grade at St. Clement's Catholic School on Dearborn's east side just finishing lunch when the announcement came. I don't remember whose voice it was on the school PA system, probably Principal Sister Mary Liberta, but we were all instructed to proceed immediately to the next-door church to pray for the President, who had just been shot.
All of us were in shock and anguish, but what I remember most was the absolute silence as we scurried row by row, class by class, into the church. There was no idle chatter, no pushing back, no questioning. Like lambs to learn of the slaughter of our beloved President, we proceeded to the sanctuary to pray. I think we said the Rosary aloud, but what I remember most was the silence. This was unusual even for a batch of usually well behaved parochial school kids. No whistles, no whispers, no pea-shooters, no jangling keys.
At some point when our prayers were done and we heard the ultimate news, the 500 of us just dispersed. We walked home zombie-like - dazed, stunned, forever changed.
This generation of Catholic school kids adored President Kennedy. I remember in my class' mock election in 1960, there was but one vote (of 62) cast for Nixon. Poor Michelle - how we all hounded her! It was a big thing in those days to allow parents to "bring in a television" so the students could watch special events, and I remember seeing the 1961 inaugural start to finish that way. Our teachers were JFK fanatics, too, particular the nuns. Sister Liberta was so infatuated with the Kennedy Family that she vowed she wanted to be buried in a pink habit so she could emulate the First Lady. (I wonder if that ever happened...)
Then, all of a sudden, with a shot of a madman, it was over. No more Camelot, Hyannisport, John John crawling out from under the desk, New Frontier, "specialness" that we all felt was the hallmark of the Kennedy era.
That weekend in 1963 was very difficult. The entire nation watched on TV as the networks replayed the tragic news from Dallas and followed the amazing ceremonial mourning in Washington and throughout the word. No one felt like doing anything but sitting on the floor in front of the old black and white TV and soaking in the tragedy.
Monday's funeral was like nothing I had ever seen - the veil draped widow walking at the head of what I think they say was the largest delegation of high level officials from around the world ever gathered on American soil. Watching Caroline and John brought tears to even the toughest among us. The poignant lighting of the Eternal Flame at Arlington at the end of it all.
These images and many more are indelibly etched into my memory - probably just as they are in yours and in the memory of most others alive at the time. I have taken them beyond that, however, as many of my generation have, and used them as a personal mandate to engage in public service. My interest in politics started with JFK and the hope he inspired in all of us. He believed that government was not evil and could do good things to help people, particularly those in need. He believed in creating opportunities for everyone to succeed and reach their dreams. And he believed we could make a difference. (To those whose affection for President Kennedy is not as strong, I know he was not perfect and that history balances his accomplishments with his failings. Get over it. The essence of Kennedy Greatness was what it inspired in all of us!)
To wit, my favorite quote of his is from his 1961 Inaugura|: "Let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth, God's work must truly be our own."
This St. Clement kid is glad President Kennedy came into our lives, even for just a brief shining moment.
