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Punkingal

(9,522 posts)

71. I was in the 8th grade when President Kennedy was killed..

Sat Jun 22, 2013, 10:53 AM

Jun 2013

It was devastating to everyone I knew. When our principal announced it on the intercom, he was crying.

Dr. King's death brought an additional grief for me, because I lived in Tennessee. Not only was it sad, but I was ashamed that it happened in my home state. Sadly, I can't say people grieved for him like they did for the President...too many people here are taught to be bigots and never learn to think for themselves as I did.

And Bobby...in some ways that was the worst one of all. It was just mind-numbing, unbelievable. It made me feel hopeless and frustrated. I had just graduated from high school. I vividly remember watching his funeral and feeling so sorry for Teddy, who couldn't keep the tears from his voice; watching that train all day and seeing all the sadness on the faces of thousands of people that I knew was reflected on my own.

Many years later I visited the Kennedy graves, and Bobby's is over to the side from the President's, alone, with just a small cross. What struck me about that visit is I had accepted the President's death, because I could view his grave with respect and regret, but seeing Bobby's, with that little cross made me feel as sad and hopeless as I did the day he died.

As for Dr. King, I have grown to appreciate him even more as the years go by. What a brilliant, loving man he was, and what a huge loss for humanity when he was gone. I feel fortunate to have been alive at the same time as him.

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Was anyone out there alive and aware when JFK, MLK and RFK were shot? [View all] Taverner Jun 2013 OP

I was in elementary school when Kennedy was assassinated. Th1onein Jun 2013 #1

I was also in school. In study hall at the time. I was in the 7 grade (I think). I remember southernyankeebelle Jun 2013 #105

Was a kid then, but certainly aware of the latter two asassinations villager Jun 2013 #2

born in 1956 - all saddened me, but I wasn't specifically aware of why at that age - NRaleighLiberal Jun 2013 #3

I was born in '56 as well. Boomerproud Jun 2013 #19

Me too (born in '56) Freddie Jun 2013 #79

I was born in '58. I remember being kind of worried and scared. HappyMe Jun 2013 #66

I was in third grade when JFK was killed Still Sensible Jun 2013 #4

I was in high school for JFK. madamesilverspurs Jun 2013 #5

That was the end of pretty much everything great about this country. I was in my 20s when shraby Jun 2013 #6

My reaction to John Kennedy's assassination was shock/dis-belief. nevergiveup Jun 2013 #7

2nd grade when JFK was shot-the school crossing guard who told me was thrilled.... Rowdyboy Jun 2013 #8

Loss, Shock, Disappointment Downwinder Jun 2013 #9

Born in 1957, don't remember much about the JFK assination MiniMe Jun 2013 #10

JFK was the most popular president in my lifetime. wtmusic Jun 2013 #11

I always thought so also but rurallib Jun 2013 #114

Sickening shock with all three Warpy Jun 2013 #12

I was in 2nd grade when Kennedy was shot LeftInTX Jun 2013 #13

I remember exactly what I was doing at the moment I learned about each of those deaths struggle4progress Jun 2013 #14

I was 6, second grade, when JFK was shot. HooptieWagon Jun 2013 #15

I remember mick063 Jun 2013 #16

It was devastating! ananda Jun 2013 #17

I was an adult when all three of these great leaders were killed... chillfactor Jun 2013 #18

I cried for days, too, Blue_In_AK Jun 2013 #37

I was in high school in 1963. SheilaT Jun 2013 #20

Thank you for telling your experience. truedelphi Jun 2013 #60

My memories of that time are in black and white, madamesilverspurs Jun 2013 #84

etched in my mind forever will be little John chillfactor Jun 2013 #21

One of many images that affected generations to come Taverner Jun 2013 #98

I remember too well libisnota4letterword Jun 2013 #22

A great post ! kentuck Jun 2013 #32

Wonderful first post. Welcome to DU. It made me think that there are people who have sabrina 1 Jun 2013 #45

Welcome to the DU libisnota4letterword. GREAT first post, reccomended. chknltl Jun 2013 #52

It was a big deal when JFK was shot because I was in a Catholic Elementary... WCGreen Jun 2013 #23

Great sadness with John, disbelief with Martin... Contrary1 Jun 2013 #24

Me too. And, right now, I really feel disappointed in Obama. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #40

I don't think Obama mimi85 Jun 2013 #54

Always favored the book over the movie. Half-Century Man Jun 2013 #51

I believe this world would have been a better place... Contrary1 Jun 2013 #55

I remember it well KT2000 Jun 2013 #25

I graduated from H. S. in 1963. Lugnut Jun 2013 #26

Devastated, elleng Jun 2013 #27

Yes, I was in Europe when JFK was murdered. MADem Jun 2013 #28

When JFK was running for President, I was in the eighth grade... kentuck Jun 2013 #29

Can't say I disagree with your assessments. truedelphi Jun 2013 #62

Write that book! H2O Man Jun 2013 #80

Nov 22, 1963 - noon Chipper Chat Jun 2013 #30

All 3. All were tragic, but Kennedy hit me the hardest. Frustratedlady Jun 2013 #31

JFK, MLK, RFK chessmister Jun 2013 #33

Thank you for your post Taverner Jun 2013 #90

I was delivering the Detroit News when JFK was killed. longship Jun 2013 #34

I was in elementary school. His death & assassination was announced over loudspeakers Honeycombe8 Jun 2013 #35

Absolutely I was alive and aware Blue_In_AK Jun 2013 #36

JFK's assassination changed my life. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #38

I've never trusted the official story either, JD. Blue_In_AK Jun 2013 #41

Me too. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #48

Count me in. avaistheone1 Jun 2013 #119

This message was self-deleted by its author PufPuf23 Jun 2013 #39

If we weren't aware before we sure were after the assassinations. Bavorskoami Jun 2013 #42

Three days I will never forget grantcart Jun 2013 #43

I was in Miss Murphy's 3rd Grade Class... GReedDiamond Jun 2013 #44

Yes. Liberal In Texas Jun 2013 #46

JFK, MLK and RFK jimruymen Jun 2013 #47

Aww, can I keep him? What "great lengths" is "smiling" Dem admin going to great lengths to undermine uppityperson Jun 2013 #109

Nightmare times mixed with The Beatles SleeplessinSoCal Jun 2013 #49

JFK, RFK & MLK ReRe Jun 2013 #50

I was born in 1970 and the Tom Clay clip does that for me too Taverner Jun 2013 #91

One of my earliest memories I can attach a date to.. Half-Century Man Jun 2013 #53

I was in college when Bobby & MLK were assassinated..in junior high when JFK was killed SoCalDem Jun 2013 #56

I was nine at the time JFK's assassination ... and my parents hated him.... deurbano Jun 2013 #57

I was 20 when JFK was shot life long demo Jun 2013 #58

I was in high school and college during that time newfie11 Jun 2013 #59

I was 20 when JFK was shot sarge43 Jun 2013 #61

I was a sophomore in high school when JFK was shot. Shrike47 Jun 2013 #63

Yes, all the oft-excoriated Baby Boomers were alive. Now our memories are important? WinkyDink Jun 2013 #64

From the looks of this thread there a many HereSince1628 Jun 2013 #68

Last thing we need in inter-generational division Taverner Jun 2013 #92

in both cases, double traumas carolinayellowdog Jun 2013 #65

I remember those and more. hobbit709 Jun 2013 #67

I think that Kent State was even more BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #69

I was 13 when jfk was killed . Your post is authentic and how it was for me xiamiam Jun 2013 #73

During my first few demonstrations against the Iraq War BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #75

My dad was a cop working riot control Taverner Jun 2013 #94

No wonder you had a cloud over your youth BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #95

Let's just say if they had camera phones back then, entire police forces would have been on trial Taverner Jun 2013 #97

like I said, I lived in Berkely during that period BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #100

Alive but not old enough to be aware treestar Jun 2013 #70

I was in the 8th grade when President Kennedy was killed.. Punkingal Jun 2013 #71

Alive, yes. Aware? LWolf Jun 2013 #72

Yes and it put the whole nation in shock. No President had been assassinated in anyone's memory Cleita Jun 2013 #74

Was in the 3nd grade when JFK was assassinated CountAllVotes Jun 2013 #76

Wow...that is surreal..."Theme from a Summer Place" Taverner Jun 2013 #96

It scarred me for life that song CountAllVotes Jun 2013 #103

JFK's assassination was profoundly shocking and devastating lunatica Jun 2013 #77

I was a young 23-year-old stay-at-home mom at the time JFK was killed. RebelOne Jun 2013 #78

As a Catholic school child, the JFK assasination was largely MichiganVote Jun 2013 #81

The media never gave MLK the air time needed CountAllVotes Jun 2013 #82

I truly think that Walter Cronkite tried to get people to notice MLK as a citizen MichiganVote Jun 2013 #89

That was when I realized that politics here is just like politics everywhere else. bemildred Jun 2013 #83

I was eight when JFK was murdered. truebluegreen Jun 2013 #85

I was 13 for JFK ballardgirl Jun 2013 #86

I was in college (in Western Massachusetts) when Jack was killed. Demoiselle Jun 2013 #87

One more memory... Demoiselle Jun 2013 #88

I was home on leave when JFK was shot. In college protesting the war when MLK and RFK got shot. Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2013 #93

We need resolution of JFK's assassination. roamer65 Jun 2013 #99

Agreed. And RFK and MLK. Taverner Jun 2013 #102

Resolve JFK's murder... roamer65 Jun 2013 #110

I actually don't buy a "conspiracy" as much as a confluence of events Taverner Jun 2013 #113

Remember what Jack Ruby said. roamer65 Jun 2013 #117

I was in High School when JFK was assassinated. PDJane Jun 2013 #101

Was an adult with family for all three. northoftheborder Jun 2013 #104

of course! i remember the shock of hearing of jfk's assassination over the intercom ellenfl Jun 2013 #106

I was born on June 5, 1968 arely staircase Jun 2013 #107

I was born 1958. OldEurope Jun 2013 #108

I dimly remember MLK and RFK MadrasT Jun 2013 #111

You are asking how I and my parents felt at three different events. We sat together and watched the jwirr Jun 2013 #112

Freshman at a catholic high school rurallib Jun 2013 #115

I have to add this: Teddy Kennedy's eulogy for Bobby Taverner Jun 2013 #116

The way Ted's voice cracked during that tribute/eulogy CountAllVotes Jun 2013 #118

Teddy was an amazing human Taverner Jun 2013 #120

And yes, those cracks in his voice Taverner Jun 2013 #121