Apropros of today's history (6/8/68) who has visited RFK's , and JFK's gravesites in DC?

[electric_blue68]

(this sort of came up bc I realized earlier today I may have left a whole bunch of photos when I moved 😔 )

When I was 11 in '64 we visited our Aunt & Uncle, cousins in or just outside of DC.
We did visit JFK's original white picket fence w the eternal flame. Have, ?had a photo.

Waaay later early-mid '90's (while I'd been to DC in between) I visited Arlington again to pay respects to both.
Beautiful, poignant. You can see see Bobby's white cross from JFK's site that has the eternal flame.

Both have quotes.

The plain cross against beautiful bright green grass. Opposite it open space, a low wall with a small long pool. I think a favorite quote of RFK's, and a quote by him.

I might have lost those photos, too.
(I'll find out in a few months).

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. I have.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I have.

[Coventina]

3. I have. Shortly after Ted Kennedy joined them.

[brer cat]

4. I have.

[DelMar dem]

5. I have.

[Aristus]

6. I have.

When I was a kid, my family visited Washington, D.C. We spent an entire day visiting Arlington National Cemetery and saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns, the graves of all the WWII veterans my father admired, and the the graves of the Kennedys. I was only nine or so, but it was a transformative experience.

I learned early on that there was more to genuine patriotism than simply flailing the flag and squeezing out a few tears during the Anthem.

[electric_blue68]

13. I believe I did see the changing of the guard, too.

[Boomerproud]

7. I have. July 5, 1968 exactly one month after Bobby's murder.

A mound of dirt and a wooden cross was there at the time.

[electric_blue68]

14. That must have been SO sad.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

8. I have not

I'm just old enough to remember the national grief (and that of my parents who both loved JFK) and I still can't think of RFK (whose campaign I worked on as a 10 year old volunteer envelope stuffer) without tears welling up. I've really never fully recovered from the trauma of his murder.

Or Martin's murder.

Sadly, I've never visited their gravesites. But I never forget.

[electric_blue68]

17. Don't feel like I completely got over it Feelslike a little part...

of me was taken never to return.


If you find the OTD Kennedy shot... thread
I posted a story of a dream I had around Feb '21.
Wrote as a short story


You might find some solace in it.
I did (after getting over the surprise of having it out of nowhere!).

[Just A Box Of Rain]

21. I would like to read it.

54 years later I find the tears flow very easily when I think of that dreadful day.

[electric_blue68]

22. Here's the link

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216766343


Should say OTD at the beginning referencing RFK being shot


may be last post
Will say

Let me take you to an alternative Earth

[Just A Box Of Rain]

23. Thanks.

It is very curious the way we process our grief, with such things coming unexpectedly out of our subconsciousness.

Not sure why, but as I read this it sparked a memory that I have not thought about for a very long time.

I played football as a kid. Had opportunities to meet some of the LA Ram players.

Maybe a year or so after RFK was killed I met Rosie Grier, a member of the Rams "Fearsome Foursome." He was the person who subdued RFK's killer [may his name be erased] that night.

I went up to Rosie and started to speak--but before the words came of of my mouth I burst into tears. Rosie Grier understood, and this giant of a man enveloped me in a long and gentle hug, saying "it will be alright."

Not sure that any words ever come out of my mouth. But I could see it didn't matter. He realized what I wanted to say.

[electric_blue68]

24. Oh, my...

you met Rosey Grier! I know exactly who you're talking about.
(not much of a football fan, but my respect for is him being one of RFK's bodyguards. Raifer Johnson, too)

How wonderful under terrible memories for him to give you that big, comforting hug.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

25. It was painful to me that Grier's politics subsequently drifted rightward.

Last edited Thu Jun 9, 2022, 12:42 PM - Edit history (1)

He became a Republican and supported Ronald Reagan and the like.

This is difficult for me to reconcile. I've always tried to be generous and have wondered if the trauma of that night killed something inside Rosie Grier?

Perhaps that's why I rarely bring up the memory?

But in the moment--when I got that hug--I felt a human connection. I'm sure he did as well.

[electric_blue68]

26. Ohhh...

I didn't know OR maybe I heard that somewhere about RG's changes.
And that'd make sense why it's became mostly buried in you

Well, trauma can do strange things to people.


Back then, though, that was a genuine moment.

[Irish_Dem]

9. I have.

Visited prior to Jackie K's death.

I pulled one of the Cemetery guards aside and asked if Jackie would be given permission to be buried there. He said yes.

Special arrangements had been made to make sure Jack and Jackie were together in death.

[HAB911]

10. One I took in '64

[electric_blue68]

18. Wow! Ty. Yes I have a black & white photo from our visit taken from right by the fence

Last edited Thu Jun 9, 2022, 11:55 AM - Edit history (1)

[Still Sensible]

11. I have

a few times.

[Jarqui]

12. I have visited a number of times over the years.

Both JFK & RFK were major bewildering losses in my young life.
Honoring their sacrifice with so many others provides some comfort.
Arlington is a beautiful setting for reflection.

I have stood there wondering what they would think about the circumstances the country and the world faced. And what they might want us to do.
I know I'm not alone experiencing those thoughts.
So I also derive some comfort from knowing that more than fifty years later, they're still helping to show us the way.

[electric_blue68]

19. Thank you. A moving reflection.

[kairos12]

15. I have.

[Ohio Joe]

16. I did in 8th grade...

During our trip to Washington.

[tavernier]

20. Yes.

On edit, I was trying to remember the year and finally did… 1964. JFK was there, but of course, not Bobby.