The big shock in the US was the realization that you couldn’t trust the government to tell you the truth. In WWII people understood about restrictions, but two decades later there were no reasons being presented for what was happening that made sense.
Actually, I don’t think that the JFK “legacy” would have been nearly as great without the assassination, because LBJ was the force that got the bills passed, something that JFK couldn’t have done. Kennedy wasn’t as strong on civil rights as Johnson was.
]]>By ’68, I was old enough to understand, and when MLK Jr. was assassinated in April, and then RFK was assassinated in June, I remember asking my Grandfather who was responsible. Even then at a young age, it all seemed somehow connected, though I really had no idea why. I suppose I became fascinated by the three events, and eventually learned many details.
So, even thought I am not an American, though I have lived and worked within the USA, these events had a very big impact upon my life and many choices I have made since JFK was assassinated. Sadly, but ironically, it’s perhaps true that all three had a more profound impact on the World through death than they might have had they lived to old age. We will never know. But the World will never forget either. 🙂
Rest, in Peace.
]]>Our crusty old retired colonel/teacher left the room , surreptitiousely dabbing his handkerchief to his eyes.
I will never in my life forget that moment, nor watching the funeral procession with the family and all those world leaders.
I can still hear the drums.
]]>He was a symbol, Steve, of an optimism we have never regained. There will always be the nagging thought that if another individual rises that high, they too will be assassinated.
We are left with a lot of “what ifs”, Lady Min, and we won’t ever regain that thread of history.
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