Lavender Orchids has published a review on Instagram. Here is the start of it:
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A copy of the newspaper we received at our home about President Kennedy’s assassination
President Kennedy’s assassination was the biggest news of my childhood and happened when I was in third grade. It’s the one event that touched the lives of every child. In my case, we got let out of school early, but didn’t know why. I remember waiting outside for the school bus, wondering what in the world was going on.
On the bus, we got the scoop from the oldest boys on the bus, the older twin brothers of my friend Vivian. They had a transistor radio and were listening to the news. I could see from their excited faces that they loved being the ones to share the awful news with our tender little minds and hearts. After all, they were in SIXTH grade.
At one point in Scrap: Salvaging a Family, I tell the story of what happened when I got home that day, as well as what happened to me on the day of President Kennedy’s funeral.
Tour Schedule:
March 21: Joy Neal Kidney (review)
March 23: Liz Gauffreau, (review)
March 24: Marie Ann Bailey, (review)
March 25: John W. Howell, (excerpt)
March 30: Miriam Hurdle, (companion story)
March 31: Review Tales (review)
April 2: the bookworm (review)
April 9: Ashley’s Books, Cozy Home Delight (review)
April 13: What’s That Book About (guest post)
April 15: Tabi Thoughts(review)
April 23: Lavender Orchids (review)–on Instagram
April ?: The Reading Bud (review)
May 4: Chelsea’s Books (review)
May 4: Smorgasbord (excerpt)
May 6: Brotman Blog (review)
May 7: The Reading Bud (interview)
May 14: True Book Addict (guest post)
May 19: True Book Addict (review)
May 21: The Book Connection (review)
Follow the tour with the hashtag #ScrapSalvagingFamily
I remember the day JFK was assassinated very clearly. I was in second grade, and we, too, were sent home early, but the principal told us why.
How did it happen? Did he or she call you into an assembly or go classroom to classroom? We had an announcement over the loudspeaker that we were getting out early and then we were all sent out to wait for our buses.
The principal and someone else (I don’t remember who), came to our classroom, announced that the president had been shot, and sent us all home. My house was within walking distance of the school, so I walked home.
I am trying to imagine walking home alone after hearing that. I am guessing alone, but maybe you were with neighbors or siblings. I did walk home sometimes, too, as we were just outside the walking distance and were lucky to have a bus.
I walked home with a group of other kids, not by myself.
Yeah, we usually traveled in packs, didn’t we hah? I remember though a couple of times I had to walk by myself, and my school was on a busy road, and I had to walk past the hospital.
At that time, we lived in Edgartown, Mass. Once the summer people had cleared out, there wasn’t much happening, including on the streets.
That sounds so good about now!
Yes, it does!
I was in second grade, and we lived in Dallas then. The 6th graders had gone to see JFK that day. I didn’t know any of them. I wonder now what it was like for them.
Whoa. Living in Dallas. I can’t even about the sixth graders. That is truly awful. Didn’t it seem like sixth graders were outside our frame of reference? I only knew these guys because they lived in my neighborhood and I used to go to Vivian’s house to play. I thought they were something like teenagers. So how come I thought you and Liz were my exact age and you were both in second grade and I was in third? Now I’m feeling older than I was before.
I thought we were all about the same age, too. I started school early. Yes, sixth graders were unknown beings to me. I guess my older sister was in junior high, and I don’t think I ever asked her what she remembered or how she heard the news. Now I have to ask my brother.
I was in college and classes were cancelled. The only TV was in the basement of the dorm so we listened to a radio. It seems like I still had to report for work at the college library.
That is awful that you had to go to work while everybody was glued to the TV and radio!!! If you remember, did you find out with a phone call about classes being cancelled or did you go to class and find a note on the door?
I remember it happening, but I don’t recall going home early. I remember watching news on a portable TV at school — not sure where! — or were we listening to a transistor radio? — But eventually, we did get home, where the assassination was on the news — I think all the rest of the day and for long after — with the swearing in of President Johnson — the capture of Lee Harvey Oswald — Jack Ruby shooting him — the presidential funeral, course — and somewhere in there, Thanks giving —
Oh, yes, it was such a hubbub for quite some time!!! For the longest time I had the most mixed up memory, thinking Jack Ruby was executed. I was sitting in my grandmother’s kitchen with her, listening to the radio. So who was it that was executed?
Ruby was supposed to be executed. He appealed his sentence and died before the matter could be addressed. So the only person executed was Kennedy — by Oswald.
Gee, I wonder if I heard them talking about executing him on the radio and took that to mean they were doing it right then.
An awful day for sure. I was in college and felt the loss deeply.
You were at an age to have it affect you on a more mature level, rather than the gaping mouth big ears stance of an 8 year old. I can well imagine you felt terrible.
Lovely review!!
Thank you–yes, it is!
A most engaging review
Thank you, Derrick. I hope all is well with you!
Yep
I was in 6th grade, and it changed my life. I will never, ever forget sitting in class, watching a movie about the sun, when our teacher got the call and looked shocked and told us, “The president has been shot.” School was dismissed, and when I walked to the circle where our buses gathered, another teacher walked through a plate glass door, shattering shards of glass everywhere. I spent that weekend glued to the television, including seeing Jack Ruby shoot Oswald. What a horrifying thing for a child to experience.
What brought light back into my life was the arrival of the Beatles in America in February 1964. I will be forever grateful to them and for their music for bringing back joy and love.
I recall our teacher sending us home in the middle of the day. I recall watching television news coverage as a family. I recall John John saluting his father’s casket…
I remember this day so vividly although I was very little. I turned 5 years old on the 21st day of November, 1963. We were at a furniture store looking for my ‘big girl’ furniture set for my birthday. They dimmed the lights of the store and they were going to close for the day when we heard this tragic news about the president. Everyone was in a state of shock. My father led us all out of the store, and I remember how quiet it was in the car driving home. I remember looking out the car window and feeling so very sad.
I was in the first grade and, believe it or not, I have no memory of that time. I am confident, however, that no adult sat me down and explained anything.