America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
"Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation" features 250 of the over 800,000 condolence letters Mrs. Jackie Kennedy received soon after her husband passed away. From notes telling her about naming a son after JFK to stories about their own losses, the book shows the feelings of every day Americans who also felt the sadness and loss the Kennedy family did on that day. And hopefully those of us who were too young to know the impact of JFK and the Kennedy family will get a sense of what the generations before us experienced.
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Ellen Fitzpatrick: "Here we have a widower writing and saying, 'Hello Mrs. Kennedy, I'm just and old 73-year-old-man who lost his wife in 1963 and I can feel the sorrow you mare going thru. My wife died in my arms as your husband died in your arms.' What I saw over and over again in the condolence mail were people who felt personal with this national tragedy, and it evoked in many other people remembrances and experiences of losses and trauma in their lives. And they wrote about those to Mrs. Kennedy."
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Ellen Fitzpatrick: "This was an amazing letter because [Monroe Young, Jr. III] is saying that in December of 1963 'some mean man killed my daddy, too, here in Dallas. My daddy was a soldier. Santa Claus didn't get my letter.' And I was very touched by that letter, and there were also many, many letters of people who had family members who died violently. And they felt they knew how Mrs. Kennedy must have been feeling."
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Lisa Booth Blumberg wrote: "Suns will set, cities will fall, empires will rise but the goodness of your husband will never be forgotten. Of course there will be great presidents again, but there will never be one like John Fitzgerald Kennedy."
Ellen Fitzpatrick: "I don't remember how old Lisa [Blumberg] was when she wrote this letter, but she was a child. And I felt that her eloquence was what was very moving about it. I found that so mature as well as beautifully written."
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Douglas K. Gumblatt wrote: "Dear Mrs. Kennedy, I hope the words I wrote last year in fifth grade for Robert Frost will express my feeling and provide an epitaph for our late president. 'The miles are gone, The promises were kept. I heard the news, I sat, I wept."
Ellen Fitzpatrick: "When I read this, I just couldn't believe he was 11 years old when he wrote this. And he's remembering something that he wrote when he was 10. He wrote this poem when he was 10."
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Mrs. William B. Watson, Jr. wrote: "Since this is the first pictures of our girl-boy twins, my husband and I thot it would be nice to send you a picture as the babies were named after you and your late husband. Jacquline Lee - 5lbs. 11ozs. and John Fitzgerald - 7lbs. 14 ozs. were born Feb. 15th, 1964. They are getting along just fine now as you can see, although we almost lost John in March. There is one thing I'd like to ask of you and that is if you'd be so kind to send "two" pictures that the babies may have when they get older. I'm sure they'll be proud of having your names as we are. Merry Xmas & Happy New Years to you and yours."
Ellen Fitzpatrick: "Parents, young parents, who had children around the time of the assassination. There were many cases of people who named their newborns after President Kennedy or Mrs. Kennedy. And this is a woman -- Mrs. William B. Watson -- she and her husband had twins, and they named them after the President and the First Lady. I wanted to call attention to this phenomenon... The juxtaposition of having a baby on a day, November 22, 1963, that is in the memory of almost everyone who lived through this event is one of the great tragedies in modern American history. And it was a joyous occasion for a family, but then it was scarred by this grief. They addressed that by remember President Kennedy in this way."
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Mr. & Mrs. John H. Floodas wrote: "The sorrow of my wife and Myself is beyond words but I feel I must try to express our feelings. We are not the best educated people In the world. I myself have only a grade school education myself. However I did learn enough to have Love for my country and respect for my President.
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Mr. & Mrs. John H. Floodas wrote (cont.): "This terrible thing that happened I Beleave is due to lack of the prper teaching On the part of parents, and Government Agencies Alike. and most of all the American People them selfs. Sorrow is not enough or just going To church to say a prayer then leave. Go home and say we did our share. He the President is gone now and there is nothing more we can do and Forget it ever happened. We the American people have been Like this for a long time forget the Bad things that happen to us and Only remember the good. We must never forget what has Happend To him. He must not have died in vain for If he did all is lost for everyone. And our Country will become the Kitchen where hate is permitted to Rule instead of Justice. And where terrible Plots against one another are allowed to be cooked up. To take a man's life is the unforgivable. But to let it happen and then i a few days forget about it is even Worse. You are the first Lady of the land and as his wife if you decide to Take up the fight to wake the people of this country up and teach us your Way of respect and of Honor. It I think would be the greatest Git to him, and the people of the Country. Our greatest need in this country today Is not huge Army's or large stores Of gold. Not fine homes or tall buildings. We do not need more weapons or Bigger ships. We the people of this Great country Do need men like him and Ladys like Yourself to lead us and to guide us. Wee need your energy and honor We must be tought that hate and Greed can only be met with more of the same and neaver end unless we Make it end. His leadership tought us not to hate and tought us how to forgive but now He is gone."
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Mr. & Mrs. John H. Floodas wrote (cont.): "But to me and I beleave to all people of the world he will neaver be forgotton. And must be for all our sake's."
Ellen Fitzpatrick: "Mr. Floodas, who I believe wrote the letter, says, 'We are not the best educated people in the world. I, myself, only have a grade school education.' But then he goes on to reflect about the country, and the state that it's in. And he says, 'Our greatest need in this country today is not huge armies or large stores of gold. Not fine homes or tall buildings. We do not need more weapons or bigger ships. We need leadership.' I just found it so evocative or that reason."
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
Stephen J. Hanrahan wrote: "I wish to extend to you and the children my condolences. Children increase the cares of life but they do help to mitigate the remembrance of death. We are told that a good key is necessary to enter paradise. The President, following the guidelines of his church possessed this key Heaven it seems, calls its favorites early. In the President, I felt that I had known a whole man. It is a rare experience but always an illuminating and enobling one. It costs so much to be a full human being that there are very few who have the enlightenment, or the courage to pay the price. The lights of the prison have gone out now. In this, the quiet time, I can't help but feel, that my thoughts and the thoughts of my countrymen will ever reach out to that light on an Arlingon hillside for sustenance. How far that little light throws his beam."
Ellen Fitzpatrick:"This is an absolutely beautiful letter in my view. [Stephen J. Hanrahan] is so thoughtful and so reflective when he says, 'In the President, I felt that I had known a whole man. It is a rare experience but always an illuminating and enobling one. It costs so much to be a full human being that there are very few who have the enlightenment, or the courage to pay the price.' And then as readers we are totally unprepared for the next line, 'The lights of the prison have gone out now?' The writer is in a federal penitentiary."
America Grieves with Mrs. Kennedy
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When John F. Kennedy died on Nov. 22, 1963, Ellen Fitzpatrick was only 11 years old. Although most of us weren't around then, as we've been told by our parents and aunts and uncles, anyone who was alive then, no matter how young, has some memory of JFK. Fitzpatrick, the author of a new book, "Letters to Jackie" is no different: "I remember him being my president. He came to my hometown when I was 11 years old, and I saw him," she told us. "I remember that vividly." 
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Sunday 28 March
By RonTruth
I remember that day, and the two weeks before November 22, 1963. I remember listening to a radio talkshow where the host read a transcript of a hand-written note from the FBI about a possible threat to President Kennedy by a "violent, revolutionary group" who were "planning to assassinate President Kennedy on November 22-23, nineteen sixty-three." This was a week before the assassination happened. I remember feeling empty ihside, full of fear and foreboding.
Then, the Monday after hearing about the note, and the FBI warning that went out to all 100 FBI field offices in the country, that J. Edgar Hoover made a public announcement that the warning was a "hoax." How could he have done a thorough investigation of the note and warning over one weekend? Then, on Friday that same week, it happened. I still wonder if Hoover and others within the government knew ahead of time, and wanted it to happen. JFK was a wonderful president. He stood for the rights of everyday Americans. He tried to stop our involvement in two wars, both of which had been handed to him by his predecessors. Then, I saw the film footage of the shooting in 1975 for the first time. I could easily see that we had not been told the truth.
World peace is worth the cost of finding out the truth about such events.
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Sunday 28 March
By Kristina
"Most of us weren't around then???" You've got to be kidding. Dear Emily Tan .. how old are you?? Because I'm not exactly in an old folks home, Em, and neither are a LOT of people my age, and I was around then. Have you ever studied demographics? Ever heard of the baby-boomers, who are a large percentage of the population now? We were around then, and we're still around. Yikes .. the tunnel-vision of the very young.
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Sunday 28 March
By Rosemary H
I'm glad so many reacted the way I did to the "although most of us weren't around then..." Sheeeeesh! I'm 58 and clearly remember being in school when the news let out. I also remember being glued to the TV with my family for the days to follow. I don't know how old you are Emily.. but you're implying that people over 50 are dead. Evidently you're quite young yet. Wait till you're 50+.. you'll better understand why you've gotten this reaction. Anyway, I feel it's a wonderful tribute to Jackie (and America) that these letters have been preserved and now published for the world to share.
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Sunday 28 March
By sis Jones
I am so impressed with the comments about her insult on the fact we were not around then. Youth brings out the lack of experience..... and wisdom. The problem with that, well, you figure. YES, I remember too the day this happened and will always. I doubt you can ever know the heart break for our first family and the fear we felt during those times. A country without a leader is a very scary thing, but we are blessed with the process to replace quickly and we can do so as seen during those trying times. Let Us not ever forget we have or shall I say "WE THE PEOPLE" will forever be grateful to this first family for the life given on that day.
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Sunday 28 March
By Alayne
It sounds like the author, Emily Tran is assuming that because Kennedy was shot in 1963, that those who were around would either be dead, or too old to use a computer. Although this is history, for MOST of us, it is not ancient history, (dinosaurs were no longer roaming the earth in 1963, lol). Believe it or not, those of us in our 50's and beyond, can still recall the event, and use a computer ... along with a multitude of other technological devises. And here's a mind blowing thought for young Ms Tan, although I watched the Ed Sullivan show as a kid, downloads to my iPod include Pink, Lady Gaga, Beyonce and the list goes on ...
As a young writer, never assume your readers to be any specific demographic ... unless of course, you are Dr Seuss : )
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Sunday 28 March
By theguitarkid
Most of us Anti-Kennedy people are so because of their perverse stance on abortion. In this humble writers opinion, particularly Teddy's championing of this murderous cause for a half a century earns him a place in the worst part of hell. You people created the problems we are in today. Drugs, gangs and everything in between can be traced to what you "progressive" people have done to America since the 1960's. People wonder why the American right is so "hate filled". YOU HAVE BEEN MURDERING OUR CHILDREN FOR DECADES!! You people stick up for pedophiles rights and kill children. You "Pro Kennedy" people should rot in hell right next to your fallen heroes. Camelot is something you invented to keep the Kennedy myth alive. You have distorted the facts of this mans Presidency since he was killed. You have used his assassination to your own ends for this period as well. Remember that Lee Harvey Oswald, besides being a hell of a shot, was a socialist JUST LIKE YOUR PRESIDENT OBAMA!! BUCK OFAMA BEFORE OFAMA BUCKS YOU.
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Sunday 28 March
By johncorsino
I hear you on the abortion thing....but the article is about JOHN, bro.... John never was pro-abortion,niether was Bobby as I recall, stick with the issue at hand...I am ALSO with you on the Obama thing...the guy's name is Barry, hechanges it, AND his middle name is Hussein. I sure wish we had better choices to vote for last election.
Im STILL pissed he made the speech in Egypt and actually apologized to the Muslims....the very same "group" who changed the N.Y skyline......UGH!
The sooner we get him out the better
Thursday 01 April
By Linda
I think some of us are being overly sensitive, bottom line, I work with people who know and understand very little about the net. They are still alive but I doubt are reading anything here. Could be the writer has little interaction with older individuals and in her world people older than 30 don't exist. Nonetheless, The effort made to bring along those that perhaps we (as the older generation) didn't make enough effort in educating the next generation is admirable. You're offended now???? Just wait until all of these budgetary educational cuts sink in. It won't be long until our leaders won't know much beyond cartoons that are on the t.v.
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Sunday 28 March
By LLOYD KAY
I am 75 now and remember the day as clearly as if it were yesterday. The whole country grieved, as did I. It was a different day politically then. people and politicians cared. it seems no one cares anymore except those of us who REMEMBER CLEARELY BECAUSE WE WERE THERE.
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Sunday 28 March
By JackCharisma
Lloyd did you enjoy it up you charisma canal like sodomized Jacques Charisma?
Sunday 28 March
By Patricia
I thought that was very ruthless to say most of us were not around then I was around,altjhough very young.Perhaps you should talk a human relations course, and learn not to insult people.
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Sunday 28 March
By Rooster
What I remember is that the T.V. show "Bozo the Clown" was pre-empted just to show the funeral of some Jackmo I couldn't have cared less about. Then again, I was only 5 years old & my priorities were different than most of the country's.
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Sunday 28 March
By mom2fab5
Wow! I was born in 1966 and even I take offense to the opening statements in this article. Similar to the events of 9/11, it was monumentous even in the years following the actual event. My Irish, Catholic parents spoke of the event and the impact JFK had on our nation for years. This is part of my history. I experienced the aftermath and its meaing was not lost on me even though I arrived on the scene a little late. I am racking my brain to figure out how someone could write a piece disregarding a large segment of its demographics. Is this rudeness, ageism or plain lack of smarts and common sense? Human beings older than 40 are not invisible or unimportant. Hmmm.....I think I will give you a break, Ms. Tan and simply chalk it up to your age.
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Sunday 28 March
By Cheryl
I agree with Linda. I'm "only" 54, and was surprised that the author of the article thinks there is barely anyone alive who remembers Kennedy! But then, she must be quite young, and remember back to when all us baby boomers were teenagers and thought anyone over the age of 30 was ancient. :-)
I was in third grade when JFK was assassinated. I remember the shock and devastation of all the adults around us. It was frightening. And I was so sad for Caroline and John John. I wrote a letter to Caroline, to try and console her and tell her how sorry I was that her daddy died.
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Sunday 28 March
By earl taylor
My very favorite picture. This is just priceless. My favorite first lady also. She was a classy beautiful lady.
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Sunday 28 March
By Robert
I was too young when the president was shot, so i don't remember it but it was a tragedy ! whats a bigger tragedy is that 48 years later it still is not solved ! I strongly believe it was a conspiracy,
However it is comforting to hear of so many letters wen't jackie.
thank you
bob
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Sunday 28 March
By Mike in Phoenix
I was not yet 2 years old when Pres. Kennedy was assasinated, Yet my younger brother and I had him in our lives always. My Mom had our bedroom painted red, white and blue with Americana themed bed covers. Over the head of my bed was a framed picture of JFK, over my brothers, The Pope. We put palms from Palm Sunday behind both pictures every year. We read "Profiles In Courage" in grade school and later went to Arlington to see his grave. He still is a part of our culture, I bet many readers cried while reading these letters as did I!
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Sunday 28 March
By Bruce
Emily, some day, somewhere,somebody will write a story about all the condolences of 9/11. And when they do, just remember your words here when they say how most of you weren't around then or had to be told by your elders of 9/11.
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Sunday 28 March
By mojo
i loved president kennedy for controlling the cuban missle crisis. i hated him for getting huge support from hollywood's stars whom he made non-gratis after the election. also the STAGED salute by his son, his term wasn't camelot , it was a term of infidelity, drug abuse and the irish mafia a term of the cuban invasion. it was the start of nasa putting a man on the moon .which begot the hubble telescope , unmanned satelites to look for water on mars. it spawned trillions of dollars to search the galaxy for other worlds and 30 years later they still haven't reached their destination. it was a time when pain pills and scotch were freely used by kennedy and his team. he wasn't the greatest president of the second half of the 20th century he well may have been the worst except for the bushes. the poor,and the mental patients recieved little attention from 1600 pennsvlvania ave. the class of the clan was jackie and believe me the clan wasn't too comfortable about it.
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Sunday 28 March
By Emma
Does that one comment really matter? You're all getting up in arms about one small phrase that was not meant to mean anything. Is it that insulting to think that the person who wrote this was expecting an audience of a younger age group? Get a grip and focus on the actual point of this article: To tribute JFK and bring Americans together. I could say a few things to point out just how ridiculous you're acting, but look at that! I didn't. Because that's not what this is about.
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