21 Comments
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Lew Matusow's avatar

Fantastic as always, Roy.

I may have said this in response to previous November 22 posts in SMC, but I was in Dallas attending a timeshare conference and took the tour (great, by the way) of book depository when I heard some commotion outside. I looked out the window and thought I was having a flashback of major proportions! Here came the Kennedy motorcade and then, bam, Kennedy was shot. The agent jumping on the car as it sped away to Parkland.

What was going on? I WAS thinking of that day, but what was happening to my mind?

It was the filming of Oliver Stone's 'JFK' !!!!

I stood there, frozen until I realized I wasn't nuts (well...). I watched take after take of that horrible, horrible day...

..which you captured so brilliantly.

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Roy Berger's avatar

Wow!!

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Ronald Lonicki's avatar

Sadly we were on the school bus going home from kindergarten when, I can't recall who, came on the bus and told us the news. We all broke down in tears.

How would the world have changed if this never happened?

Also how would it have changed if Robert had not been gunned down by an evil Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador?

For Jackie to stand so brave climbing the Arlington hill to finalize her husband's resting place is truly courageous.

It is well worth the visit in Dallas to see the museum at the old library. The giant circle in the center of the busy thorough fare is haunting.

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Geoffrey Weill's avatar

Beautifully written and recalled.

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Roy Berger's avatar

Thanks GW. Have a great holiday week.

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Geoffrey Weill's avatar

YOU TOO!!!!

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Pamela Somerville's avatar

I remember Dr. Tyler’s voice as well. I also remember I was working on a project on Viet Nam when the announcement was made. Looking back on that, I thought how ironic. Were you in Mrs. Miller’s class? I can’t remember.

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Roy Berger's avatar

Pam, I can’t either. Sounds familiar. All I remember is Ms. Nelson for kindergarten and the lovely Ms Reich in second or third grade. After that I got nothing!

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Jack Steele's avatar

Unforgettable moment in history! Thanks, SCRIBE!

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Phil's avatar

I appreciate your ability to keep this top of mind for all these years. You're right, it is a shame that it's now an obscure footnote that the media does not seem to cover. Great synopsis my friend

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EDWARD BRAUNGER's avatar

Well done, Roy…great read.

And as you state, unforgettable!

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Dennis Stein's avatar

I remember it well.

Something that you never forget.

That entire weekend was spent in front of the tv watching events that you outlined so well.

Unreal reality tv!

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Greg Cherok's avatar

No Roy, you are not the only one. I was at Central Elementary School in Isabella, PA when the principal announced over the PA that President Kennedy had been shot and that school was over for the day. When I walked in the door at my house all of the neighbor Moms were in our Living Room watching our black & white TV and crying. We had PB&J sandwiches for dinner that night as my mom didn't want to cook that night either. It's strange how I remember it like it was yesterday. The other elementary school memory was in the spring of 64 when we had an assembly in the cafeteria. When we walked in there were TV's all around with the Pirates first game of the season on. Pretty cool for a kid who wore number 9 all through Little League for Bill Mazeroski.

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Roy Berger's avatar

Greg- Pirates opening day broadcast in the cafeteria? I went to the wrong elementary school!

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Jeffrey Carter's avatar

Almost happened to Trump in PA. One could argue that Lincoln's assassination led to Jim Crow, and JFK's to the Vietnam War....

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Roy Berger's avatar

Thanks Jeff. Remember Trump was not a sitting president when the attack happened and not afforded the full protection an incumbent would have been.

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Mary ONeill's avatar

Ron Butterfield needs to read this book! Thanks.

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Roy Berger's avatar

Funny. Yes he does!

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Ralph Robbins's avatar

As a high school freshman it’s a day that my mind will never let me forget

9/11 is also a terrible day placed on top of 11/22

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Kenneth M. Rich's avatar

It was a day and time I have repeated in my mind countless times, one I will never forget. I was a college freshman. Thank you for remembering.

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Roy Abrams's avatar

Nice recap of history. Was Junior in college.

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 to both of you and your family.

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