Saturday, November 22, 2008

Yesterday Is Today's Future

On November 22, 1963 a great man was shot in Dallas, Texas. The man was John F. Kennedy, and he died soon after. For many years now there has been many theories, and I don't no which one to believe. It has been said it was Lee Harvey Oswald who acted alone, but will we really ever know? I wasn't born yet, but many people in my family were. They can only tell me with certainty that it was a sad day in American history. That the United states wept tears of rivers, and was slapped in the face with a bitter sting. I once did a report in school and I asked my grandmother "Who her favorite President was?" She responded with "It was John F Kennedy, because he was so young and tried to solve the many problems that faced this great nation at the time." She added "In the 1960's with all the tension and divide in the country, it was JFK who touched her, and got her to vote regularly. It sparked a passion for politics inside her, and was saddened later by Robert Kennedy's death as well."

Throughout the years I have researched much information on President Kennedy, and have watched numerous footage. I have made it a point to discuss it with my older relatives, and friends. It brought me to the conclusion, that he was an imperfect human like the rest of us. That this man who became President, was a very passionate man. He helped put this country in the direction it needed to go, but was robbed of his true success. I believe had he lived, we would have ended the war in Vietnam sooner. Many human rights issues would have ended earlier than they did. I could go on with speculation, but feel like it would be pointless. The bottom line is he helped this country in so many ways before is death, and with the help of his brothers, and did many great things.

I have met Robert Kennedy Jr. and was impressed. His father was a strong man as well, and believed in nature too. I believe had he not been robbed of the chance to lead this country, it would be a better place today. I'm not going into much detail about the Kennedy brothers, for most people no more about them than I do. I just wanted to pay tribute to JFK and to express my thoughts about the man. I wanted to remind people to remember the good things about him, and provide you with some of his quotes.

I would like to state that he would be proud to see that the American people voted for Barack Obama, despite of the color of his skin. He would be pleased to see that a Black man will be in the White house. I'm glad to see that people can get along sometimes and hope for a better tomorrow. I sincerely hope that society has embraced love and not hate for him and his family. I wish with my whole heart that we the American people can see the change that has been promised, and more importantly President Barack Obama's heart will stay strong. That he will be able to witness the better future that he helped create. May love bless him and his family! May the World be a kinder, better place for all.

JFK Quotes:

"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."

"There is inherited wealth in this country and also inherited poverty."

"I am certain that after the dust of the centuries have passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit."

"Our national strength matters, but the spirit which informs and controls our strength matters just as much."

"No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings."

"One hundred years of delay have passed since President Lincoln freed the slaves, yet their heirs, their grandsons, are not fully free. They are not yet freed from the bonds of injustice. They are not yet freed from social and economic oppression. And this nation, for all its hopes and all its boasts, will not be fully free until all its citizens are free."

No one has been barred on account of his race from fighting or dying for America-there are no "white" or "colored" signs on the foxholes or graveyards of battle."

"Peace does not rest in charters and covenants alone. It lies in the hearts and minds of the people."

"Never have the nations of the world had so much to loose, or so much to gain. Together we shall save our planet, or together we shall perish in its flames. Save it we can-and save it we must-and then we shall earn the eternal thanks of mankind and, as peacemakers, the eternal blessing of god."

"All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have equal opportunity to develop our talents."

"I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him home safely to earth."

"Now we have a problem in making our power credible, and Vietnam is the place."

"Once you say your going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life."

"With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."

If you have a favorite memory or a quote, or just want to state something that you liked about JFK. Please feel free, and please have a wonderful Sunday!

I would like to leave you with a poem that I penned on 11/22/93

JFK

He was a man who knew many things
When he ran for President.
When he gave a speech,
we knew what he meant.
What he stood for.
What he would teach.
He wanted peace, and intended to stop the war.
In so many ways, he contributed to this country.
One of his wishes was to help end racism,
even when others said it was out of reach.
Without men like him where would we be?
The day he was assassinated,
many said it was the day America lost it's innocence.
But, I feel this country has felt this pain many times before.
It is proven in the past, as it was in the 1960's.
What we lost was another good hearted human being.
The years have proven that we have not forgotten.
We the people remember!
One of our greatest presidents in history.
It still brings tears to Americans today.
It may always remain a mystery.
To the question, who killed JFK?

Peace&Love
Wes

3 comments:

Big Mark 243 said...

Another good post on Kennedy ... I have read several posts on blogs noting this event. I found this insightful and personalized.

Ken Riches said...

Nice tribute and I especially enjoyed the quotes. I share your sentiments about Barack Obama.

Beth said...

Reading the quotes makes me remember what an amazing way with words he had. I see that in Obama, too.

I was only a little over a year old when he was killed, so I don't have any memories of it.

All my best,
Beth