Letters to Jackie (11 page)

ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION,
MARYLAND
APRIL 22, 1964

Dear Mrs. Kennedy:

I dislike reminding you of the death of your fine husband but there is one phase of the ceremonies and events that I was part of and I have never seen it mentioned in any newspaper or magazine articles or heard it mentioned over radio or TV, and I have read and listened to everything I could concerning the last days in Washington.

My wife and I waited on the north side of Constitution Ave. at the Capitol until the caisson & the procession moved past & turned towards the East front of the Capitol. We were then told the line would form on East Capitol Street. We moved as fast as we could and we still had to go all the way to 9th St. N.E. before getting in the line on East Capitol St. I have read and heard that the line was six abreast. It was at least twelve abreast and sometimes more depending on the width of the sidewalk. The people in line were friendly and respectful. We talked to many from as far North as Maine and as far South as Atlanta, Ga. Most came by rail, bus & automobile. We talked to five young men from Atlanta who had come by plane at a cost of over $100 each for fare alone. Many could not wait to get into the Capitol as they had reservations to return home. Some, after waiting many hours had to leave to catch their transportation home so as to get to work on Monday. All were deeply touched. All of those I talked with said they had made up their minds to vote for Mr. Kennedy for President in 1964 although many had not voted for him the first time in 1960.

Now, the most impressive thing that happened as far as I know has not been commented on by either the press, radio or TV. It is as follows:

A group of people would start singing and when that group had finished a group in the block ahead or behind would either pick up the same refrain or some other one. When that was over a group in my block or several blocks away would sing something else. The songs we sang were: God Bless America—My Country Tis of Thee—America
the Beautiful—The Star Spangled Banner—Nearer My God to Thee—Onward Christian Soldiers. There were probably other songs in blocks so far removed from me that I couldn’t hear them.

It was wonderful to be a part of such a spontaneous demonstration of love & respect for our fallen leader. I do not know why this has not been reported unless it was because all phases of news were concentrated in the Capitol and it was a case of not being “able to see the woods for the forest. “I do think that this should be recorded in history and hope you will see that it is. It was cold & windy on East Capitol Street and though people were in line for hours no one complained. Some people were old & crippled and when they got to the Capitol steps they could hardly climb them. I saw a man close to me who carried a three or four year old child on his shoulders for the whole of twelve hours.

From where we were at 9th and East Capitol Streets it took 12 hours to get to the Capitol & through the Rotunda. However, I’m sure the line went out to 17th St. or beyond and then backed up the street one block north of East Capitol. When we came out of the Capitol the line was still forming to go out this street all the way to 17th and then back again on East Capitol towards the Capitol. I think that the number of people who took part in this demonstration of respect & sympathy, on this memorable Sunday was far in excess of the number mentioned in the news, especially considering those that had to leave for home before they go to the Capitol.

I hope I have not bored you with a recount of the happenings on this sad day but I only want history to truly record the way the people felt and acted.

Sincerely,
Arch C. Keegin

GARDEN CITY, MICHIGAN

NOV. 25, 1963

Dear Mrs Kennedy

In your deepest moments of sorrow I am moved to write this letter. It is a few minutes to 2:00 A.M. (Detroit time) I am watching the multitude of people paying homage and saying their last goodby’s to a great great man. The lines are now five abrest and three miles long, the reporter just said. If a mans greatness and love of man can ever be seen it is seen in the faces of the people who come to pay their respects at a moment like this. I can see sadness, love, sorrow, disbelief, tenderness, and tears in faces of men, women and children of every creed and color.

The respect that is shown to your husband is one that would warm your heart. You can see Catholics, cross themselves and pray, women carring rosaries and praying. You can see old people bow their heads in reverence to a young man, and you see the young people, the future Americans even the young men in the service of their country stop at the casket and give a proud salute to their President.

Mrs. Kennedy, you have been very brave at a time like this. I hope and pray with all my heart and soul that God will give you the courage you will need in the future. I know the prayers of all the people are with you and your children just as mine are now. God Bless you and give you comfort.

Yours with eyes to the future,
Mrs. William Tomashek

FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY
1-13-64

Dear Mrs. Kennedy,

I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest sympathy on behalf of my family. We loved the President as if he were a member of
our own family. He was a wonderful young man and we were fortunate to have had him as our leader.

When we heard the news we were deeply shocked along with the rest of the nation. We hardly left the television during the whole thing and we thought you held up wonderfully. We admire you for your great courage.

Our son, who is presently stationed at Fort Myer in Arlington rode in the President’s funeral. His name is Sp. 4. Charles B. Wade and he rode the horse just in front of the President’s body. He said there weren’t many women who could hold up and be as wonderful as you were.

With deepest sympathy for you and your children we say God bless you always.

Sincerely yours,
Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Wade and family

GREENVIEW, ILL

JANUARY 23, 1964

Dear Mrs. Kennedy,

I am enclosing a typewritten copy of a small town newspaper article containing a letter which I thought perhaps you and, or your children at a later date may be interested in. As you will note the letter, as published, was written by a member of our armed forces whose duty it was to help honor your late husband, our great President, at his funeral in Washington, D.C.

I personally know some of Mr. Hendrickson’s relatives but have not informed them of my intentions of forwarding this to your attention. I guess, however, that they would be deeply honored.

All of us in our family were deeply grieved at the death of your late husband and extend to you and your family our deepest belated sympathy.

Yours truly, Melvin Parrish

ATHENS FREE PRESS of Athens, Illinois

Issue of December 6, 1963.

Mike Hendrikson, of Athens, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Hendrikson of Enumclaw, Washington, formerly of Athens, had a part in the Army’s part of the late President’s funeral and burial rites. Mike is a graduate of the Athens High School and he joined the Service soon after graduation. He is stationed at Ft. Meyer, Arlington, Virginia; and part of his duties consist of being a part of or cooperating in the meeting of foreign dignitaries visiting this country and taking part in other state functions.

We are indebted to his sister, Mrs. Robert Chastain of R.R. 5, Springfield, Illinois for the use of this letter.

Dear Sis and all:

The last time I saw Kennedy close enough to touch was on Veteran’s Day (eleven days prior to the assassination). He laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

On the twenty-second of this month, we were out in the cemetery having funerals. We got back at 2:00 p.m. EST. While we were getting off the bus I noticed there were about 25 or 30 guys standing out in the back, gathered around a radio. I knew something was wrong, so I went over and asked what was going on. One guy turned around and said, “They say our boy Johnnie has been shot, but I didn’t believe it. I ran in and turned my weapon in and went up stairs, got my radio, sat down, and listened. The word came down from Headquarters that we would be on a 72 hour ceremonial alert. So we had to get our dress blues ready and stand by, ready to move.

Saturday, November 23, the whole Battalion went out on parade field and the Battalion Commander read the Presidential Death Order to us—It’s really odd, but it was pouring down rain out there and no one said a word about it, no one seemed to even notice the rain or even the fact that we were all getting soaked. We were not wearing raincoats either. That was about all that happened Saturday except that we stayed around the company on alert.

Then Sunday, November 24th, we had reveille at 6:00 A.M. Then we got orders to move down to the Capitol Building where they were going to move the late President’s body for the people of his nation. I was standing right at the top of the steps where they took the body. C.B.S. news cameras and radio were directly behind me. I could listen and watch at the same time. As the casket came up the steps, Mrs. Kennedy and her two children immediately followed it. Then came the heads of our government. As Mrs. Kennedy reached the top steps she then turned and looked over my shoulder to the cameras. She hesitated on the top step, then gave a faint smile, as to say, “Thank you Americans for the feeling and understanding.” This may sound silly but I got a lump in my throat. After the ceremony we came back.

But this is really a touching part of the whole thing. I was really cold, but people from where I don’t know, came into the rotunda all night until 10:00 A.M., Monday. But as cold as it was they waited in lines nine and ten hours, waiting, shivering, but devoted to seeing their great leader one more time. Also people by the thousands slept in lines, in sleeping bags all night, along the route to Arlington National Cemetery where he would travel the next day at 1:00 p.m. We waited around before we moved into position. Meanwhile I went up to the casket in the Rotunda.

After the ceremony there we left and went to eat, then to the Cemetery. I was posted right below the grave site. We waited down there for about two hours. I think you know that in all ceremonies we stand at either parade rest or at attention. We were standing at parade rest. When the colors and the casket came by me I was so numb I couldn’t complete a present arms! (I couldn’t move).

Oh I wish you could have seen the funeral and heard it also. We could hear them coming across Lincoln Memorial Bridge. Those drums were beating a death March. They were really beautiful.

I guess that’s about all, except for the feeling of the people. Honestly it was enough to bring tears to your eyes. We were watching the people. They were walking along and then suddenly they just fell on their knees and prayed right on the spot, in the streets, along the sidewalks, in parks, everywhere.

People walked around in silence. The city (DC) had normal traffic, but there were no sounds coming from anywhere. It was like a silent movie. It hit all of us here in the Old Guard very hard indeed, but some would joke and laugh to hide their sorrow, while most of us just sat around.

I remember on Veteran’s Day, President Kennedy laid a
wreath on the Tomb, and he had Johnnie, Jr. with him. As they rode by us Johnnie, Jr. was crawling on his dad’s lap, saluting us as they passed. Seemed like any other father and son. You should see Jacqueline now, she looks as if she has aged ten years.

I am making a scrap book of it all to keep. This was one of the most proud moments of my life. It’s history, and we all played a part in it. You asked if I could be seen on T.V. Yes, I didn’t know it but while they were taking the casket into and out of the Capitol Building they had cameras directly on me while the U.S. Marine Band played “Hail to the Chief”—which as for a couple of minutes. When I got back to the C.O. some of the N.C.O.s who were watching it on T.V., got after me for moving while the cameras were on me. But we had only been standing there about three and one-half hours at attention.

You should have seen the people. It finally totaled well over a million. The streets were packed thirty or forty deep, and across the bridge they were twenty deep, this was on both sides. Then at the cemetery there were ropes around the grave site about 200 feet all the way around. They were packed all the way about a thousand deep or so.

Countries which I have never heard of before had sent representatives to the funeral. A few of us were talking to the chauffer of the President’s Bubble-top car. He said the Robert Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy, and Edward Kennedy just didn’t seem to realize what had happened. He said that they just didn’t say anything but just sat and stared at nothing.

Well, it is one of the most tragic things that has ever happened in this country, but we, like time can’t stop. One thing before I close while all of this was happening, I wanted to be with my family. It was as though it was one of us. But God knows how hard it hit the people of Washington, D.C.

Would you please keep this letter for me—it’s like a diary for me. Then I can remember how I felt and what I did.

Merry Christmas and God Bless you all.

Love,
Mike