This week was the Remembrance of November 22, 1963. I heard the announcer on the television mentioning it which brought back these memories of that day.
Remembering November 22, 1963: A Personal Reflection
This week marked the anniversary of November 22, 1963, a day that remains etched in my memory. I was reminded of it when I heard a news announcer on television mention it today, bringing back vivid recollections of that fateful day.
The Tragic Day
November 22, 1963, started off like any other—a brisk November morning. I was 14 years old, and like most days, I was looking forward to the end of school. The morning passed quickly, and my tests had gone well. We were all pleased with the rain that had finally arrived after a long dry spell.
The skies didn’t look stormy, but at noon, we were dismissed early from Harrison High School due to tornado warnings. By the time I got home, the news was breaking on television and radio. Schools across the country were suddenly dismissed, and most remained closed until Tuesday, November 26.
President Kennedy’s Assassination
I was eating lunch when I heard the shocking news. I immediately called our family’s flower shop to inform my parents. It was during the lunch hour, and many of the workers were home. My emotions were a mix of shock and disbelief. At 12:31 p.m., President Kennedy was shot. By 1:00 p.m., he was dead at the age of 46, our nation’s 35th president.
The news outlets soon confirmed that the man responsible for the shooting was 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, a former Marine. But two days later, Oswald himself was shot and killed by Jack Ruby, a nightclub operator in Dallas. The “why” of both shootings remains unclear, and perhaps we will never fully understand. Over the years there have been all kinds of speculations.
In Remembrance of November 22, 1963
For the next three and a half days, I watched the coverage nonstop. All regular programming and commercials were canceled. Every moment of those historic days was broadcast. I recorded as much as I could, capturing the most significant events of my lifetime. And possibly the most significant in the history of our nation.
My mother encouraged me to gather clippings for my scrapbook. She was urging me to take in as much as possible. Mother wanted me to understand the full scope of what was happening. She even freed me from my usual chores, allowing me to watch and listen attentively
Mother asked me to record it for my scrapbook, to gather the clippings and keep them, and to look up the meaning of words and facts. She reminded me early Friday that I should get everything possible from the programs.
Two Years Earlier
Two years earlier, I had visited Washington, D.C. I had learned as much as I could before the trip. This experience made the events unfolding in Washington over the next few days even more meaningful to me. The trip had been with a group of Girl Scouts, en route to the National Roundup in Button Bay, Vermont. Seven of us from North Arkansas had been selected, and we had spent months preparing for the trip.
It was fortunate that school had been canceled, for the education received in those days—about history, politics, geography, music, speech, and art—was richer than anything we could have learned in weeks of classroom study. Through television, we met the leaders of every nation, except for the Communist Block, which had no representation. This was the largest gathering of foreign diplomats ever assembled for any occasion. I’m sure Secretary of State Dean Rusk was exhausted from meeting planes and handling such an influx of world leaders.
Television Coverage of the Assassination
Remarkable news commentators, historians, political figures, poets, artists, musicians, and other experts contributed to the coverage, and each offered their insights. As I watched, I grew prouder of our country and more grateful to be an American. The way things were said, the way they were done—it all came into sharp focus. Our nation, even in its sorrow, showed its best face to the world.
Emotionally Drained
By Sunday, I was emotionally drained. My mother insisted I take a break to go to church, feeling the constant barrage of tragic news was too much for me to handle. She thought I needed to study my lessons and attend Sunday school to regain some sense of normalcy.
Having frequently visited Dallas with mother going to market for the shop. I was familiar with the area where President Kennedy had been shot, just off Stemmons Freeway, where he and Texas Governor John Connally had been riding in the motorcade.
Granddaddy’s Remembrance of November 22, 1963
That Sunday, I spoke with my 84-year-old grandfather. He told me that in his lifetime, three presidents had been assassinated: James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and now John F. Kennedy. He reflected that after Garfield’s death, Chester A. Arthur became president; after McKinley’s, Theodore Roosevelt took over; and after Kennedy’s assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency. Kennedy became the fourth U.S. president to be assassinated—Abraham Lincoln being the first.
Kennedy’s death bore striking similarities to Lincoln’s. I had long been fascinated by Lincoln, as we shared the same birthday, February 12. Over the years, I’d read countless books about him. And I came to believe that Kennedy was trying to carry forward the Civil Rights initiatives and other social changes that Lincoln had started a century before. It was almost poetic that the second great emancipator was struck down in the same month, one hundred years later.
Past President Who Died in Office
In total, eight U.S. presidents have died in office: William Henry Harrison (succeeded by John Tyler), Zachary Taylor (succeeded by Millard Fillmore), Abraham Lincoln (succeeded by Andrew Johnson), James A. Garfield (succeeded by Chester A. Arthur), William McKinley (succeeded by Theodore Roosevelt), Warren G. Harding (succeeded by Calvin Coolidge), Franklin D. Roosevelt (succeeded by Harry S. Truman), and now John F. Kennedy (succeeded by Lyndon B. Johnson).
Following this tragedy, we were reminded not to blame the man, the city, or the nation. Instead to look inward and root out hate, evil, and prejudice. We were called to move closer to the ideals and goals that would better serve our country.
Remembering A Personal Reflection
Three years earlier, I had thought Kennedy too young and inexperienced for such a heavy responsibility. I had believed Lyndon B. Johnson would make a better president. And I even supported Richard Nixon, hoping he would assume office. Of course, I was too young to vote at the time. However my family encouraged me to study the elections. But in the wake of the assassination, we all saw the grace with which Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy handled the situation. She became an enduring symbol of dignity and strength. Her composure in the face of such tragedy and her efforts to preserve the history of the White House won the respect and admiration of the American public. Many believed she was the most outstanding First Lady since Dolly Madison, and I agreed. Her ability to balance her public duties with personal sorrow was remarkable.
A Testament to the Strength and Dignity of Our Nation
The entire weekend was a testament to the strength and dignity of our nation. I admired the careful, respectful way in which President Kennedy was honored, from the ceremonies at the White House to the funeral procession in Washington, D.C. The caisson carrying his body, drawn by seven white horses, was a striking symbol of our respect. The “riderless horse,” which symbolized that the nation’s leader had fallen, was a poignant moment—though the black gelding, Sardar, was a bit too frisky, disrupting the solemnity of the moment. This horse, a gift to Jackie Kennedy from Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan, was a reminder of the personal loss suffered by the Kennedy family.
Jackie Kennedy, The First Lady
On one thing all of us agree on Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy has been one of the most outstanding “First Ladies” our Nation has ever had. It has been said that she pleased the public more than any First Lady since Dolly Maddison.
Her work in restoring furniture, relice, etc. representing our history in the White House was highly commended. Jckie’s services as a “diplomat” at home and abroad are worthy of mention. Her composure, her sincerity, her devotion to duty, and all of her movements and actions have put her at the “head of the list”. I also understand that she has written and helped to write the President’s speeches, articles and books. Both she and President Kennedy brought youth, charm, poise, dignity, vitality and strength to the White House and to our Nation.
All weekend I became more and more proud of our armed forces, our leaders, and all of our dignitaries. I was impressed with the beauty and dignity given our former President, as he lay in the Blue Room at the White House. Even more impressed with the Rotunda in the Capital. I was proud that we had kept, the seven white horses and the caisson that carried his body. The “wagon” was the “caisson”, but the dictionary definition led me to believe that the “cassion” referred more to the casket that held President Kennedy’s body, in this instance, I’m sure the references were to the “wagon” itself. I also looked up “cortege”, a word that was used continuously, and found it to mean a “procession”. Learning that a caisson cortege is familiar to Arlington, Virginia.
I liked the idea of the “riderless horse”, however the beautiful black gelding, named Sardar was the only note of discord throughout the proceedings. He was too “frisky”. The horse was a gift to “Jackie” Kennedy from Pakistan President Ayub Kahn. President Kennedy did not share her love of riding due to his lame back. The “Riderless Horse”, signified that its rider and chief had fallen in death.
Fears of The Nation
I remember that all who were not of the Catholic Church were a bit afraid of how President Kennedy’s religion might influence his decisions. However, everyone learned to respect him because of his genuine devotion to his religion, to his friends, to his family and his ideals. It is common for us to fear that which we do not understand, with understanding comes tolerance and love. We were outgrowing our prejudices.
Kennedy Family… The Funeral and State Ceremonies
On Monday, November 25, it was especially heartbreaking to watch John F. Kennedy Jr.—“John John”—salute his father’s coffin at the Capitol Rotunda. He was just three years old, and his small gesture captured the world’s heart. It was equally moving to see Caroline, just six, holding her mother’s hand throughout the services. She was the “apple” of her Daddy’s eye. The Kennedy children didn’t accompany their father’s body to Arlington National Cemetery, where he was laid to rest. Kennedy became only the second U.S. president to be buried there.
Funeral and State Ceremonies
The funeral service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral was profoundly moving. The Most Reverend Philip M. Hannan, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, quoted President Kennedy’s own words from his speeches, including the iconic line, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
A Personal Reflection
As I reflect on that week and the legacy of President John F. Kennedy, I remember the solemn torch lit at his grave in Arlington National Cemetery, with a military guard of honor standing watch—a soldier, a sailor, a Marine, and an Air Force cadet. The strains of his favorite symphony echoed in the background, offering a fitting tribute. We were all deeply saddened, but also filled with pride for our nation, and for the enduring memory of a man who inspired so many.
