The LoJo invited readers to share their memories of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, who died 50 years ago today. Some of their submissions follow:
Porter McLean: “Nov. 22, 1963, Russellville High School, about 1:30 p.m I was a senior at RHS and remember this moment quite well. The time for our fourth period mechanical drawing class to start had passed, but our instructor, Mr. Chuck Lynch, had not yet arrived. This was not entirely unusual, as this class was held in the rear of the shop building about a block from the main high school. When he came in, most of us were standing at our drawing tables, talking and milling about. His greeting to us that day was something like this, "Boys tomorrow we will have a new president. The president has been shot." There was a lot of silence - then questions and chatter, but no one really knew anything at that time.
“Several of us had study hall for the fifth period in the RHS auditorium, and as I lived very near the school, I requested permission to go home to get a portable radio to bring to study hall, so we could all hear what was happening. My lasting recollection of this was a group of us huddled about a desk listening to the radio that was sitting there. We were stunned, angry, sad and confused as to what's next. I do remember there was a lot of talk about the Russians doing this and how America would get even.”
Vickie Laster Costello: “I remember that day like it was yesterday. We lived in Evansville, and I was in the second grade. The principal came on the intercom and announced that President Kennedy had been shot. I can still see the horrified look on my teacher’s face. It was quiet. We all knew our president and that Caroline was close to our age. Then later the principal announced that he was dead. We all cried. School closed early. When I go home, my parents were crying. It was a horrible day.
“I will never forget watching the funeral on our black/white TV, Caroline at the casket and John saluting the funeral procession. I vividly remember the horse with the boots turned backwards and the story of it. It brings tears to my eyes just reflecting on that dark day.”
Betty Ruth Gunn Ditmore: I was working, in the office, at Potter and Brumfield in Franklin. It was announced on the speaker, for all to hear. The plant and office was very, very quiet for the rest of the day. One the day of the funeral, we were given a longer lunch break, so that small groups could gather at homes nearby, to watch the black and white event play out before us. It was so unreal and so forever in our memory.
Milissa Fleming: “I never will forget that day. For some reason I didn't go to school that day. Mom was watching it on TV and there was a knock on the door. Mom went to the door; it was a salesman. I never will forget my mom looking at him and saying the president has been shot. She said, “Come on in.” Both of them stood there watching this on TV, not knowing each other at all. I never will forget the look on their faces—total shock ...and total silence ...”
Kim Clack: “I was in second or third grade, and it came across the speaker the president had been shot. All the teachers where crying, and when they said he had died, everyone went silent with a prayer. And when I got home our TV picture had gone out. All we could do is listen. Dad bought a new TV the next day, another black & white Magnavox.”
Rita Wells Burchett: “As a female administrative employee of David Lipscomb College, I was invited to have lunch with the House Mother, Miss Margaret Carter, and the home economics students in the Home Management House. Just before serving lunch, Miss Carter saw the event on her bedroom television and related it to us. It was a very sad day.”
Kathy Holloway: "I was on the playground in Lakeland, Fla. The teachers came and got us all and took us to the gym. Some of them were crying and very upset. We kids did not know what was going on. Then the principal made the announcement that John F Kennedy was shot and killed. After the announcement we were sent home. I could not believe that things like this could happen in our nation. The funeral was on TV and I sat and watched it for hours. When we got back to school there was a pop test and we discussed what happened."
Kimberly J. Harris: I was born in 1966 but have watched the Zapruder film clip many times in all the different theories. Every time I wondered what his wife Jackie was saying to him? she leaned in right before he was shot and was saying something. It even looks that JFK was smiling at what she had said. Now that you have me interested again I may google and see what information I can find. Of all the great women in this world I have always so highly admired Jackie Kennedy.
Rita Whitescarver Stratton: “I'll never forget that day....it's etched in my memory forever! I was in Miss Joyce Wood's seventh grade class when we learned of the assassination.”