Letters to Jackie (12 page)

BEVERLY MASSACHUSETTS
NOV 26, 1963

Dear Jackie:

I know that you are keenly aware of the great shock and sadness which the President’s death brought to this nation; it can only be a pallid reflection of your own. I happened to have been in Washington on that dreadful Friday and wandered aimlessly through the silent streets for hours, part of the tearful, desperate crowd, bewildered by the news, angered, confused, and, most of all, terribly sad and not a little frightened that our nation should have been so senselessly and cruelly deprived of a great leader, which it badly needed.

But what you cannot know so well is the incalculable strength which came to the millions who watched the fortitude of you and your family during the funeral ceremonies. I doubt that ever in history has a nation witnessed such a thoroughly inspiring sequence of events. While they were enriched by the trappings of history and tradition and given meaning by the glory of religion, they were unique in their grandeur by virtue of the very special nobility given to them by you and your children. The great sense of loss cannot be blunted, but what was blind misery and helplessness has become converted into that spirit of confidence, dedication to high purpose and victory which is so beautifully stated in the President’s Inaugural Address.

Nancy joins me in sending you and your children our love and boundless sympathy.

George

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

DEC. 1, 1963

Dear Mrs. Kennedy:

Words cannot express our feelings at this point for our President John F. Kennedy. He was loved by many, hated by some, feared by some, but respected by all. He had many ideas; but with a single thought; to move America forward and make America one unit of people.

We are a Negro family of three (3). I am 31 years of age. My wife is a nurse and we have a three (3) year old son. Last Friday my son Bruce told me (when I came home from work) “Daddy, the President is dead.” I knew that he did not reallize what this meant. But I did and the whole world knew. As big and hard as I am, tears over-flowed and I broke down. I knew that I lost a President and a good friend.

He was a great man and a great President. How-ever, behind every great man there is a great woman. My hat is off to you. You were with him throughout his years on Capital Hill right up to that fateful hour. You have set a standard that no woman could possibly equal. The whole world is proud of you and what you stand for.

I have seen funerals for Presidents, Heads of State, and digniteries, but John F. Kennedy’s funeral was the most fantastic and the most beautiful I have ever witnessed.

President Kennedy was a God sent man, sent for a purpose and he was attempting to complete his task when he was cut down. Even in death his mission is being accomplished.

John F. Kennedy will forever be a burning memory in my heart. May God bless you and may He always keep you as strong as you are.

Sincerely Yours
Mr. & Mrs. Hugh B. Robinson, Jr.

P.S. I am proud to be an American and to have lived under your husband’s administration.

EDGEMONT, ILLINOIS
NOVEMBER 28/1963

Dear Mrs. Kennedy:

I wanted to come to the President’s funeral so bad, I felt as if I had lost a brother of my own, and I still do, I intend to see his grave one of these day’s on my vacation, I feel so sorry for John Jr. and Caroline, for I know they miss their father, I really loved the man myself, I feel sorry for you too, Please don’t let Robert or his brother get south of the Mason Dixon for I am afraid for their lives too.

I HOpe you will be able to live your loss down, I don’t think the country will ever be able to.

Your Friend
E. G. Martin

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

NOV
28/1963

MRS. J KENNEDY AND HER TWO SWEET CHILDREN

Dear Sis

This is a Letter with Grief and Sory From My Bottom of My Heart and Sympathy to you Mrs J Kennedy and Children and the Grief and Sorry for Your Dear Husband Es [Ex] Presedent Mr John Kennedy That Shall Never Be Fargotton By Anbody are the Whole World as the Spirit of All American People of the United States of Amerca

The Spirit That God Gave Es [Ex] Present Mr. John Kennedy of the United States of Amerca. He whas Loved For His Truthful Speres to The Whole World and He tried To Be Friendly to Everdody Poor Peopel to Rich Peopel and Foes and Enemies and He Spoke the Truth from His Bottom of His heat. and He Never Be forgoton By the Whole World. God Have Mercy on him…

I am Happy to write a few lines. I Hope this Letter will Give and your Children a Spirit and We Loved You All God Bless you and the Boy and Girl The world Knows and Sees How You Happy Children acted all through the Performent—What Touges the People Heart—When You Mrs Kennedy and Kneeling at the Coffin of your Husband Mr J Kennedy and your Daughter Kneeling at your side. I notice and the World Sees Your Daughter Touges with Her Gentle Hand the United States of Amerca Flag that Show that She She Loved Her Farther and Bid Him Goodby, and the Boy How He acted Like a Little Man Mrs Jacklin Kennedy and Your Children I Hope you all Be Happy Good Health and Good Luck. And there Is one that We Never Fargit By the World the one We Loved So Well. With His True Stories that Has toughes the Whole World Mr Es [Ex] Preseden John Kennedy. We Clased the Letter with the Best of Love to Mr Jacklin Kennedy and Her two Sweet Children. God Bless You All

We Closed this Letter With Love and Good Spirichal to Mrs J Kennedy and Children—Mrs J Kennedy I thank you for the Letter I got about 6 month ago When I wrote to you. God Bless you all

Yours Rests
Fred Buerman and My Daughter
Mrs Gertude Guidry
And My two Great Great Children
My two Great Great Grand Daughters
there names are Mis Debby N. Krambecht
and Mis Cheryl M. Krambecht
Excuse for Writing theis
My name is Fred Buerman
I am 92 Years old. Had My Legs take off
10 years ago
I Writing In a Wheel Chair
I Was Born Sept 25/1871
God Bless all of You

PHILADELPHIA, PA.
JANUARY 20, 1964

Dear Mrs. Kennedy:

It is just about two months since your terrible tragedy occurred and we are a little late in expressing our sorrow to you, but it is heartfelt, nonetheless. We would like to tell you that on the day of your husband’s funeral, our synagogue conducted a most moving service with the Rabbi and the Cantor chanting innumerable Prayers and blessings.

In the Jewish religion, when a father dies, the son must stand and say “Kaddish”—a most meaningful prayer and only permitted by the sons. In our synagogue, West Oak Lane Jewish Community Center, our Rabbi told us that we had all just lost our father, and the entire congregation stood up to say Kaddish.

At the conclusion of the service, the Rabbi and Cantor marched down the aisle Chanting prayers as if following the casket.

Mrs. Kennedy—these words may be added to the tons of condolences you have received and may sound quite repetitious, but none can be more sincere.

May God bless you and your family and may you all live to ripe old ages and have many great joys through one another.

Most sincerely,
Pauline and Sol K. Spector and family

DALLAS, TEXAS

JANUARY 16, 1964

Dear Mrs. Kennedy:

I have put off writing you as long as I can. I have wanted to write for several weeks but hesitated, as I felt the things I would want to say would be like opening an old wound and would hurt you too much. After seeing and hearing you on T.V. last night, and you stated that you
only read them as you felt you could bear it, I decided not to delay writing another day.

First, I’d like to extend my deepest and sincerest sympathy for you and your adorable children. Words are really inadequate. I also wish there were ways to express our sympathy to the nation in their loss and also to the world. Nothing to compare will ever effect the globe like this sad tragedy.

That rainy Friday morning I sent a note for my 14 year old son to be excused from school at 10:30 a.m. so that he could come to the parade to see the President. We were so disappointed it was raining. He came downtown and met me and the sun came out brilliantly. We stood on the corner by the fameous Neiman-Marcus Store and waved to you as you drove by. You both looked so happy, you so pretty and he so handsome as the sun glistened on your bright smiles. The crowd seemed delirious with excitement as thousands on the streets and hundreds leaned out windows, in their bright colors, cheering. My son remarked that “Jackie was prettier than her pictures”!—I overheard a little colored boy say with animated enthusiasm, “I was so close to him I could look right down in on his eyes!” My son caught a bus and started back to school.

I thought, “What a moment to remember!” As I walked toward a downtown store for lunch, I was thinking about seeing all of this to night on T.V. and hearing what the President would say to Dallas. Then, two minutes later—Eternity!

You would have known how shocked and stunned Dallas was if you could have seen the people. They were weaping unashamedly both men and women, wringing their hands, some praying aloud and mostly wandering around in a daze, as if they must go somewhere and do something, but did not know where to go or what to do!

I don’t remember how or when I found my way back to my office. Surely there could not have been more despair, nor could it have been more earth shattering if it had been the end of the world!

I personally was in such state of shock, the rest of that day is still almost a blank. I think the thing that brought me back to reality, was the T.V. showing how you exemplified such gallant bravery in everything you
did. I shall never forget your standing there for Pres. Johnson to be sworn into office. Truly your actions were queenly, which your husband would have been justly proud.

Of course those next 3 days are to go down in history and generations for years to come will know of those 4 saddest days in 1963, starting here in Dallas.

The two things most heartbreaking and indelible in my mind, was seeing little Carolyn, whom he loved so dearly and we all felt like we knew her well, standing so ladylike and so like a little princess, beside you at the Services in the Rotunda. And never, never will I, or the nation forget that precious little boy grasping the U.S. Flag and running down the steps to take it to “my Daddy!”

If any one moment in time could be recalled, I’m sure that moment, November 22, 1963 would be the one. Be assured many, many more feel deeply concerning this even though they have not written you.

To prove we have no hate or bigotry in our home, my husband and I are Republicans, and our 2 unmarried older sons proclaimed JFK as the pattern of the young and future leaders of America. The older one, at age 23, has already served in the Navy and is in 3rd year college, the other, in college also and eagerly awaiting he service with the Peace Corp, is already signed in and has his official Peace Corp number. We are convinced the young people of our nation has been as hard hit as the adults.

If this will help any, I am a christian and am known to be a truthful woman and would be afraid to write this if it were not the exact words and truth. The day the President was killed, I vowed to God, in my prayers that I would gladly have died, if it could have brought the President back to us.

We pray that as the flame burns magnificently on, that it will in some way burn out the sad and horrible memories you must have of Dallas.

Affectionately and sympathetically,
Mrs. Carroll A. Geist

FROM:
STEPHEN J. HANRAHAN
85255

FROM:
DECEMBER 2ND 1963
(DATE)

TO:
MRS JACQUELINE KENNEDY (NAME)

TO:
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. WASHINGTON, D.C.
(ADDRESS)

Dear Mrs Kennedy:

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 Arlington hillside for sustenance.

How far that little light throws his beam.

Sincerely

Stephen J. Hanrahan 85255

Federal Penitentiary

Atlanta, Georgia

ROCKVILLE, CONN.

NOVEMBER 28, 1963.

My dear Mrs. Kennedy:

I could not let this week come full circle without expressing deepest sympathy in the great loss of your beloved husband and our beloved President.

Truly, the whole world mourns his passing, and one can only hope that, in some way, your own heartache may be mysteriously lightened by the commiseration of so many who share so strong a sense of personal loss.

The impact is everywhere. You drive down country lanes, on off the beaten track roads, and outside of house after house there is the flag of our country fluttering at half mast. Fellow citizens mourning outside their homes as well as in their hearts. It tugs at the throat, but you go on only to have the next friend encountered inquire: Have you noticed that the ache keeps coming back again and again?

It does, of course, but it is a precious thing this grief he leaves us, for the sorrow now would not be so deep if the joy and pride in him and you had not been so high.

All that he represented, all that he was, his children, his First Lady, and our First Lady ever to be, remains enshrined in our hearts, our memory, our love.

Sincerely,
Leonard F. Rock