Where were you on Nov 22, 1963?
- Thread starter Texas1941
- Start date
Texas Star
US Veteran
I had been through USAF Basic and Air Police School and spent a few months at Lowry AFB, CO. I was on leave in Dallas when my father called (I was at my mother's; my parents were divorced) and told me that Kennedy was dead.
I was afraid that my leave would be cancelled, but it wasn't.
The media was all over Dallas, as if that could happen only here. They still hate Dallas for its relative conservatism, although that is now much diminished. Even the Dallas Morning News is now just another newspaper, in my opinion. I am convinced that there were elements determined to buy it and change its conservative voice.
Some commentator told a story about students in some Dallas school cheering when the news was read over the loudspeaker. My mother taught HS and said that her students cried.
I was initially suspicious of the KGB or LBJ. But the more that I've read, I believe that it was done by the mob, as described so convincingly in the Dec., 2010 Playboy. Other reading also points in that direction. We now know a lot more about Kennedy's moral background and his family's situation.
With that in mind, I really think it was about as it is laid out in the magazine story just mentioned. One thing that really bothers me in that account was that an FBI agent who was developing a mob informant with good progress was called off the case and told not to go there again.
It wouldn't surprise me if LBJ, Hoover, or the CIA was somehow involved, or knew and did nothing to prevent the killing. Kennedy had made many enemies, and he was hated by the ambitious, reportedly immoral Lyndon Johnson. (There is a story about someone who opposed Johnson early in his political career having committed suicide...by shooting himself four times in the back, with a bolt-action rifle!)
Some records are still sealed, and there must be a reason for that. The truth has not been told, and may never be.
But I'll never forget the day it happened, and where I was, and the climate that resulted.
When I returned to base after leave, I was often accused of being in some way responsible, just because I was from Dallas. This came mainly from elements that I can't mention here without probably violating board rules. Just think who (as a group) in the Air Force was most likely to have supported Kennedy and his policies...
The ironic thing is, I was among those entrusted with JFK's safety when he spoke at the Air Force Academy earlier that year. He drove slowly past me within about 20 feet, and I was armed. And he was in no danger from me. I don't think that's how we should change Presidents. And look who'd replace him, and did!
T-Star
I was afraid that my leave would be cancelled, but it wasn't.
The media was all over Dallas, as if that could happen only here. They still hate Dallas for its relative conservatism, although that is now much diminished. Even the Dallas Morning News is now just another newspaper, in my opinion. I am convinced that there were elements determined to buy it and change its conservative voice.
Some commentator told a story about students in some Dallas school cheering when the news was read over the loudspeaker. My mother taught HS and said that her students cried.
I was initially suspicious of the KGB or LBJ. But the more that I've read, I believe that it was done by the mob, as described so convincingly in the Dec., 2010 Playboy. Other reading also points in that direction. We now know a lot more about Kennedy's moral background and his family's situation.
With that in mind, I really think it was about as it is laid out in the magazine story just mentioned. One thing that really bothers me in that account was that an FBI agent who was developing a mob informant with good progress was called off the case and told not to go there again.
It wouldn't surprise me if LBJ, Hoover, or the CIA was somehow involved, or knew and did nothing to prevent the killing. Kennedy had made many enemies, and he was hated by the ambitious, reportedly immoral Lyndon Johnson. (There is a story about someone who opposed Johnson early in his political career having committed suicide...by shooting himself four times in the back, with a bolt-action rifle!)
Some records are still sealed, and there must be a reason for that. The truth has not been told, and may never be.
But I'll never forget the day it happened, and where I was, and the climate that resulted.
When I returned to base after leave, I was often accused of being in some way responsible, just because I was from Dallas. This came mainly from elements that I can't mention here without probably violating board rules. Just think who (as a group) in the Air Force was most likely to have supported Kennedy and his policies...
The ironic thing is, I was among those entrusted with JFK's safety when he spoke at the Air Force Academy earlier that year. He drove slowly past me within about 20 feet, and I was armed. And he was in no danger from me. I don't think that's how we should change Presidents. And look who'd replace him, and did!
T-Star
On my way home from school. I left about 1:00 as I had enough credits for graduation and had a part time job I went to at 3:00. I got home and my Mom and Granny were glued to the TV crying their eyes out. I had no clue what was going on until I started watching with them. It was surreal.
feldspar13
Member
probably at home I was 2yrs old
The Highlander
Member
I watched it happen, with my mother. But I was only 2 months old, so I don't remember it.
Two years ago we took our daughters to Dallas, and visited the museum. I have had very few experiences as moving as those hours we spent there. Don't ever pass up a chance to go if you are anywhere near Dallas.
Two years ago we took our daughters to Dallas, and visited the museum. I have had very few experiences as moving as those hours we spent there. Don't ever pass up a chance to go if you are anywhere near Dallas.
palmetto99
Member
Nov. 22, 1963 is about 60 days prior to my birthday.
DGNY
Member
Driving home to parents' from third year of Cornell Law School with fiancee' and stepped into country store to pay for gasoline I had pumped. Clerk told me the President had been shot.... Never can forget that life-moment, when all notions of earthly inviolability went out window, forever.
Regards,
Dyson
Regards,
Dyson
I was in 5th grade. I had just come back to school from going home for lunch. At age 10, I couldn't believe that for 3 days there was nothing else on TV.
FlYFiShErMaN
US Veteran
5 months before I was born.
I was about 200 feet below the surface in the North Alantic with 139 other guys that could not believe what we were just told. And then we waited for the order to launch 16 missilles with more destructive power than all the explosives used in WWII!
jcelect
jcelect
bamacisa
Member
I was working in the SS Kresge store in Towson, Md. Minutes after the announcement, all the stores in the shopping center and the parking lot were empty of customers, The radio was playing funeral music. That is something that you don't forget.
LouisianaJoe
Member
I was a freshman at Mississippi State. At that time JFK was not very popular in the south. There were students at MSU ringing their cow bells in celebration. At that time, MSU was an A&M college and was called cow college. Students welded cow bells to pipes and rang them at football games. At games with rival Ole Miss, the bells on pipes were used as weapons.
Working at a machine shop and when we returned to work after hearing about the shooting, the punch press I was working on double punched and removed the tip of my left index finger at the first joint. I remember it very well.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
Sixth grade..Frenchtown Elementary school, Frenchtown, NJ.
I remember seeing a black mailman on the way home that day simply standing by his jeep, with tears streaming down his face.
Sad day for America.
FN in MT
I remember seeing a black mailman on the way home that day simply standing by his jeep, with tears streaming down his face.
Sad day for America.
FN in MT
Brian41
Member
I was in 5th grade and we were sent home with no explanation. Friend who got home first along the way came out and gave us the news.
Later that day I knew this was a day I'd never forget so I decided to tie my last baby tooth to a door knob and slam it.
Later that day I knew this was a day I'd never forget so I decided to tie my last baby tooth to a door knob and slam it.
I was in chemistry class.
Springfield Bob
Member
November 22,1963
A Friday I'll never forget. I was having lunch with my wife in Cheyenne Wyoming at a restaurant when Walter Cronite gave us the sad news.
I was stationed at F.E.Warren AFB at the time. Our commander sent us all home.
A Friday I'll never forget. I was having lunch with my wife in Cheyenne Wyoming at a restaurant when Walter Cronite gave us the sad news.
I was stationed at F.E.Warren AFB at the time. Our commander sent us all home.
