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It was a typical, crisp autumn day in New England. I was a 13-year-old boy in eighth grade. Little did I know the most memorable days of my life were about to occur. It was Friday, November 22, 1963. The early 1960s were interesting and exciting years for me. It was a time of growth and learning. I was a young, small-town boy eager for my teen years to begin. As the country moved out of the Eisenhower era and 1950s, I remember the words echoed by a man who inspired me and who represented a new beginning for America. In his initial speech as President he stated: "The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world."  John and Jackie Kennedy in the early moments of Camelot. It was bitterly cold on Friday, January 20, 1961, the day those words were etched in my mind forever. Of course, they were spoken by President John F. Kennedy in his inaugural speech. This vibrant, new President gave hope to many. And while there were as many people in America who were opposed to this young, Catholic man becoming President, there was no denying he moved thousands of people with his oratory. For our family, the election of President Kennedy was personally gratifying. My father was very involved in Massachusetts politics. His best friend was a local Senator, and they worked diligently for JFK during his run for the Senate and Presidency. My dad met Kennedy numerous times during his tenure in the Senate. For a number of years, I remember my mother hanging Christmas cards from Senator Kennedy - and later from The Office of the President. However, while that cold January day was the beginning of a new generation, little did we know how brief and tragic this new era would be. It was shortly after 1:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on November 22, 1963 when that memorable time in my life began to unfold. It started when the last class at school was cut short - and we were sent to home-room for early dismissal. As we curiously walked through the halls, rumblings of President Kennedy having been shot ran rampant. For a few minutes, I remember frenzy in school. Then, all of a sudden, the silence was deafening.
In home-room it was confirmed…the President of the United States was shot while in Dallas. A numb student-body was released from school just before 2:00 PM.
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Newswire 
