Rambling thoughts as I approach 70 years old [View all]

[nightwing1240]

As I approach seven decades on this planet we call earth, I reflect at times on things I have seen, experienced and things I still do not understand. Here is just part of those in the 60's.

The JFK/Nixon election in 1960

I was going on six years old at the time but can recall my parents and elder family members being very excited about John F Kennedy. Most of them despised Nixon for his time as VP to Ike and were all solid democrats. Kennedy running to be the first Catholic President of the USA did play a part in how they viewed him since my family is Catholic. I can still hear the kids at school singing a simple ditty on the playground. "Kennedy, Kennedy yes he can, Nixon belongs in the garbage can!"

November 22, 1963

JFK of course had won the election and had guided us through the Cuban Missile Crisis. For that, I remember drills at school. Stop, drop and cover. But November 22nd changed the world forever when Kennedy was murdered in Dallas. I recall being at school in the third grade when the Principle came to our room asking the class to pray because the President had been shot. Not long after, the funeral bells began tolling at the church across the street and we were informed he had died.

As my brother and I headed home, we were happy having been dismissed early from school. When we got home and saw mom crying it sunk in as to what had happened and how serious it was. Our father was as tough as they come but even he when he got home from work was visibly shaken. Our President had died at the hands of a gunman.

That was a Thursday and on Sunday we watched as the Dallas Police were about to move Oswald and Jack Ruby shot him on national television. My father was happy that in his words someone "shot the SOB" mom though was concerned we would never find out why Oswald did it.

The funeral for JFK was sad. Even at that age I felt bad for Mrs. Kennedy and her children.

Viet Nam

There is a lot in the early years of this debacle that I was too young to understand. As I grew and began to witness the news of it nightly through Walter Cronkite, I was sickened by it. I remember mom crying many nights as the deaths mounted. Our father told us boys he was proud he never had a gun and never would. He had served during the Korean war and had his fill. Being the oldest son he told me if it was still going on when I was out of school he would send me to Canada so I could avoid having to serve. He's been gone for a few years but i still give thanks for his feelings regarding my safety.

There were friends of mine that had older brothers that served one of which was killed in Nam. The city I live had a public memorial for him which we attended. That was quite sad as well.

Civil Rights

Wow. Where to begin. It is 2023 and we are still fighting this? From the moment I saw on the news water cannons being used on protesters and vicious dogs unleashed upon them I was angry and knew this was not right. My parents helped enforce those feelings with myself and siblings. The paper route I had helped to teach me all I needed to know about people. We grew up in a mixed neighborhood and over half of my customers were African - American. Through my route, I learned people are people regardless of color. There is good and bad in all, period.

I was caught up in the teachings of the Reverend Martin Luther King and loved that man. I was very upset when he too was murdered. It still disgusts me after all these years and his teachings millions of Americans have not learned a thing. I keep hoping to see this end in my lifetime but I seriously doubt it will.

These are just but a few. I could go on but this would get quite wordy. More may follow but i do not want to bore anyone. Have a great day everyone!