November 22, 1963

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas.  Leading up to today, many television networks have been running specials about the last days of JFK.

Everything I know about day that has been told to me by relatives who remember the day, and news stories I have read and heard.  I was only 2 years of age at the time so I have no recollection of what occurred.  If I had to guess, my sister and I were with my Guereca grandparents on the north side of Fort Worth while our parents were at work.  When it happened, I'm sure my grandmother was watching As The World Turns and CBS interrupted the show to announce that Kennedy had been shot.  After the show ended, I would assume they did another news break to announce his death.

The night before, John & Jackie arrived at Carswell Air Force Base.  My Aunt Lulu was there with Raymond (who would later become her husband).  I remember her telling me that when the plane arrived it was like something out of a movie.  The flood lights were on the tarmac and a big crowd had gathered to welcome the Kennedys to Ft.Worth.  The ramp was brought to the plane and the Kennedys exited the plane to the cheers of the crowd.  Uncle Raymond put her on his soldiers so she could see them.

John & Jackie stayed at the Hotel Texas which is now the Hilton.  Inside of the hotel the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce was gathered in the Crystal Ballroom for breakfast with John & Jackie.  And outside of the hotel, a crowd had gathered to greet the President.  News stories say that inside and outside, the crowds were charmed by the President.

In 2012, a monument of JFK was erected and placed outside of the hotel.  Fort Worth holds it's rightful place in history and it was only right to memorialize that day.

Every generation has a defining moment that scars it.  I was too young to remember November 22, 1963.  I do remember what I was doing when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986.  I remember what I was doing when the planes flew into The World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  And I'll never forget the horror of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

I was reminded the other by my mother that in the days after November 22, 1963, my sister and I asked her if John-John and Caroline could come and stay with us.  Looking back, I guess that day did leave an impression upon me.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has put together a gallery of photos from November 21-22, 1963 that can be viewed here.

And here are photos that I took last year of the memorial in Fort Worth.