 |
|||||||
|
|
|
by Randy OoneyMy Nickel’s Worth by Randy Ooney
My Nickel’s Worth by Randy Ooney Black Friday
We hear a lot about “Black Friday” this time of year, a day designated by retail marketing to get us into stores to shop for holiday gifts. But a truly Black Friday occurred 50 years ago on November 22, 1963. Many of you reading this article remember exactly what you were doing on September 11, 2001, when news came that planes were crashing into the World Trade Center. Those of us baby boomers that were around in 1963, also remember November 22, 1963, 50 years ago. I was a junior at Benilde High School, attending an assembly in the gym, presenting a guest speaker. At 1:00 PM the speaker was interrupted with the news that our president had been shot in Dallas. No details were forthcoming but when the speaker completed his presentation, we were told that President Kennedy had died. After a prayer, we were moved to our audio-visual room to watch the TV news. Everyone was in a state of disbelief. Of course we had studied history about Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley, but that was history. This was not supposed to happen in the 20th Century.
The United States were in shock. Stores were closed, Sporting events were cancelled, schools were closed and all extra curriculars were postponed or cancelled. The nation was concerned and wondering. President Kennedy had faced off against Soviet Nikita Kruschev and forced missile bases to be shut down in Cuba. Was this the start of a nuclear World War III? It was fairly well known that the Armed Forces Joint Chiefs were itching to invade Cuba but Kennedy kept the “war” “cold”.
What made the event especially sad was that JFK had the charisma that endeared most Americans. He could entertain at press conferences, and deflect satire in his direction. An Impressionist named Vaughn Meader recorded an album, “The First Family” which made light hearted fun of the Kennedys and sold seven or eight million copies, (including one to my family). John once told the press that he was the gentleman that accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris. I am still angry that this assignation occurred. One of Kennedy’s next projects was to remove all American troops from Viet Nam by the end of 1965. We all know what happened under Lyndon Johnson. There has been a number of programs highlighting the life of our 35th president. A few shenanigans have been brought to light which are not so endearing. Questions still remain as to why he was parading in Dallas in an open convertible. I remember Eisenhower coming to Minneapolis and riding in a 1956 Cadillac with a bubble top. The last I have seen that automobile was in the museum at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. Kennedy’s convertible is in the Ford museum in Detroit. I think I will display my American flag on November 22, 2013, and remember the history of 50 years ago.
|
