Today marks the 50th anniversary of the John F. Kennedy assassination. I was 13 months away from being born so obviously have no recollection. 50 years is significant. As I was growing up, the event was not that far away in the memories of all the adults I knew. Now you must be at least about 56 years of she or so to remember it all, and into your 70s to have been a young adult.
Regardless of your affinity for President Kennedy as a leader, the assassination of our most recognized; most powerful; and most charismatic leader was shocking. I don’t know that feeling in my lifetime. President Ronald Reagan was shot but not killed. I don’t think there has been another “close call.”
The reason I bring this up is because in a time of “just in time” and “virtual,” we as people need to occasionally slow down and remember out history. We need to honor the memories of those that lived through life altering events and gain a greater perspective on out life and our community. I’m sure 40 years from now, the same will be said of September 11.
In just a couple of weeks, the 72nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack will happen. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it a “day that will live in infamy.” I fear that this isn’t as true as time goes by. I hope we will all continue to recall and honor our past. That us what today is about…
Copyright 2013 Dan Weedin. All rights reserved
