The JFK fascination

Perhaps it is charisma alone, or possibly the additional facet of being handsome and good looking, that led me as a very young student, to be enticed by the Kennedy Clan. I followed the family's achievements and tragedies with keen reading, since my second standard at School. The School was such a fine institution, that holidays were considered by most of us as a high sore point. Since me and my siblings were studying at this Roman Catholic School, we knew while on our way, that the school would be closed; a holiday declared impromptu, due to the assassination of the first ever Irish and Roman Catholic President of the United States of America. The Notice Board next to the Rector's (Principal) Room said, "Holiday Notice President J.F. Kennedy assassinated". We returned depressed.
The Kennedy family had immense financial, business and political clout and to an average American, they represented as USA's "Royal Family". In-spite of this, the Kennedy family has largely been very unluckily. JFK's elder brother died in an air-crash over Atlantic; his younger brother Robert was assassinated and his only son, many decades later died in an air crash; he was piloting, alongside his sister-in-law.
JFK, has a persona, with charisma that used to be oozing out of his still pictures; I would as a seven-year old would cut his pictures from magazines like Life, Time, etc. and paste them on my personal scrap book.
JFK, was born in 1917 at Brookline, Massachusetts. He went to several schools, before graduating out from the prestigious Harvard University. He later joined the Navy. In history PT-109 is a famous Patrol Torpedo Boat. This was last commanded by Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Kennedy in the Pacific theatre of war, during the World War-II. JFK actions to save his surviving crew after the sinking of PT-109 made him a war hero, which later in life, helped him in his political career. The incident also brought to him lifelong back-ache problems. He fought it out resolutely; although at one point, the doctors had warned him that paralysis, may lay in store for him.
JFK, all through his short life had serious health issues. In 1934, he was hospitalized on numerous occasions. He retired from Navy in 1945 on the basis of physical disability, with the rank of Lieutenant. His illnesses were kept secret and none of it was public or in the domain of media. (Today, a second and third rate politician goes for Angiography and at least 20 cameras of various channels also go along with the poor patient!).
JFK, was elected to the US Senate from 1953 to 1960. His charisma and eloquence earned him the Presidential nomination. His televised debates, with an equally competent opponent, Richard Nixon are now 'institution' in political history. He won the elections. JFK was the youngest elected President of US, but was not the youngest president, as is believed; Theodore Roosevelt was only 42 year old, when he moved into the White House, following the assassination of William McKinley in 1901.
During JFK short tenure, cold war was at its peak - with the failed invasion of Cuba and the nuclear missile crises. He stood up with might to the mischief of Nikita Khrushchev of the then USSR.
JFK's sincerity to his nation was remarkably singular. Accepting the Presidential nomination, JFK gave his well-known "New Frontier" speech, saying, "for the problems are not all solved and the battles are not all won - and we stand today on the edge of a New Frontier - but the New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises - it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them...." (since childhood, barring Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, I have found our leaders only making promises (false); none asked what the people need to do?). In another speech JFK roared, "ask not what your country can do for you; but ask, what you can do for the country". Further, he said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future". (O'Lord, please infuse 'the Kennedy's' soul into our leaders). A prayer, I am certain, will not be answered, because the leadership doesn't have those shoulders to bear the responsibility.
Luckily for JFK and the entire Kennedy Clan, media then was not so intrusive into personal lives of Office Holders. The impact of certain moral indiscretion was not damaging to his Charisma. To write about JFK and not mention Marilyn Monroe, would tantamount to historical dis-honesty. If the replica's and pictures of MM are merely a small reflection of her beauty, then who can complain about moral in-turpitude! If there was present day media, JFK would have had to drink gallons of 'Cold Water' on live Television broadcasts, over his indirections, as against only two glasses drunk by Bill Clinton over Monica Lewinsky. But, with all your faults, JFK, you are loved, far and wide, even today.
Marilyn Monroe tome appeared a distraught soul, when I came across a quote attributed to her; I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love. She died a young death, too.
JFK, with 1036 days behind as President was shot dead in Dallas on November 22nd, 1963. He was taken to Portland Hospital and was pronounced dead, thirty minutes later. Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin was murdered two days later by Jack Ruby. Chief Justice Earl Warren was appointed to head the inquiry, of what came to be known as the 'Warren Commission'. FBI and the Warren Commission concluded that Lee was lone assassin. Many think and believe he was victim of a conspiracy. Jack Ruby also died in custody of Cancer in 1967.
Few weeks later, in the Cinema Hall of our School, a newsreel showing JFK's last rites was shown. The memory of JFK Junior and Caroline, saluting the hearse carrying Kennedy's remains is etched on the memory pads as a sad reminder to his tragic ending. The children were cloistering Jacqueline's hands/fingers, who herself, with a black georgette see through black veil, remained calm, graceful and stoic.
Four of America's President have died at the hands of assassin's. Abraham Lincoln (1865), James Garfield (1881), William McKinney (1901), and J.F. Kennedy (1963). In the assassination of Lincoln and Kennedy, there are astonishing parallels. I will for this piece, cite a few:
Lincoln was elected in 1860 and Kennedy in 1960.
Both were assassinated on a Friday, in the presence of their wives.
Both were killed by a bullet that entered the head from behind.
Both were succeeded by Vice-Presidents, named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson was born in 1808. Lyndon Johnson was born in 1908.
Lincoln's private secretary was John and Kennedy's private secretary was Lincoln.
The assassins: John Wilkes Booth (Killed Abraham) was born in 1839 and Lee Harvey Oswald (Killed JFK) was born in 1939.
Both Assassins were murdered before the trial.
Booth shot Lincoln in a theater and fled to a barn. Oswald shot Kennedy from a warehouse and fled to theatre.
Lincoln and Kennedy each has seven letters. Their successors each has thirteen letters; and the assassins each have fifteen letters.
The 35th President of USA, JFK, remained in office from 20th January 1961 to 22nd November 1963. He is only the second President to be buried in the Arlington Cemetery.
Just as the amazing similarities between Abraham Lincoln and J.F. Kennedy remain as 'mysteries of the unexplained', both also were fatalistic about the possibility of assassination. JFK Library notes, "I have a Rendezvous with Death" by Alan Seeger was JFKs favorite poem and Jacqueline was often asked by him to recite it. (The author is a freelance contributor and banker)