Authors: Ellen Fitzpatrick
Letters to Jackie (17 page)
JANUARY 1964
CHICAGO 13, ILLINOIS
Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy
The sorrow of my wife and Myself is beyond words but I feel I must try to express our feelings.
We are not the best educated people In the world. I myself have only a grade school education myself.
However I did learn enough to have Love for my country and respect for my
President
.
This terrible thing that happened I Beleave is due to lack of the proper teaching
On the part of parents, and Government Agencies Alike. and most of all the
American People them selfs.
Sorrow is not enough or just going To church to say a prayer and then leave. Go home and say we did our share.
He the President is gone now and there is nothing more we can do and Forget it ever happened.
We the American people have been Like this for a long time forget the Bad things that happen to us and Only remember the good.
We
must
never
forget
what has
Happend
To him.
He must not have died in vain for If he did all is lost for everyone. And our Country will become the Kitchen where hate is permitted to Rule instead of Justice. And where terrible Plots against one another are allowed to be cooked up.
To take a man’s life is the unforgivable. But to let it happen and then in a few days forget about it is even Worse.
You are the first Lady of the land and as his wife if you decide to Take up the fight to
wake
the people of this country up and teach us your Way of respect and of Honor.
It I think would be the greatest Gift to him, and the people of the Country.
Our greatest need in this country today Is not huge Army’s or large stores Of gold.
Not fine homes or tall buildings. We do not need more weapons or Bigger ships.
We the people of this Great country Do need men like him and Ladys like Yourself to lead us and to guide us. We need your energy and honor We must be tought that hate and Greed can only be met with more of the same and neaver end unless we Make it end.
His
leadership
tought us not to hate and tought us how to forgive but now
He is gone.
But to me and I beleave to all people of the world he will neaver be forgotton.
And must not be for all our sake’s.
Respectfully and Sorrowfully Yours,
Mr. & Mrs John J. Floodas
NOVEMBER 24, 1963
FOND DU LAC
WISCONSIN
Dear Mrs. Kennedy,
It is Sunday.
Tonight; alone, I contemplate the many events in this grief-filled week-end.
Sad is only a word, and yet, it is the word.
I, as many others, never met this man, and yet I have wept. The love I felt for all that was his way is not easy to speak of now.
A sense of anger has swept me, a sense of uselessness, a sense of sorrow, but always the question, Why? Why?
Greatness was his; no, greatness is his, this man young in body; but mature in mind.
Now I can only question. How can God take from this great nation this man of destiny as he had only begun his crusade of equality and justice for all men.
Is this the Lords way of striking at us for our sins as a nation? Or is this his way of emphasizing the great truths that this man stood for.
And now this man of peace, lies in peace.
In some way may the grief of his beloved wife, devoted family, and unrealizing children be shortened with knowing in his brief life-time he has
done more toward greatness than most men could do in many life spans.
The Lord has granted him a place in history, let no man deny this.
With all my heart felt Sympathy.
John L. Touchet
NEW YORK
JANUARY 17, 1964
Dear Mrs. J. Kennedy,
The faces of all of the people reflect the deep sorrow the astonishment the ugly ness of the brutal news.
All of a sudden our late and loved President, becomes some one who belonged to us all, and the mind turns in vain to understand why and how
Should it have happened in a hostile country an explanation could be found. But to have lived bravely through the struggle with both the enemy and the cruel sea, to die under the sun of Texas at the hands of an American it is too much for the intelligence to understand and the heart to bare.
And all of a sudden we wonder if we have a soul or if we only breath.
I am a mourner of his death, his picture is on my desk.
I join you and your children in your grievance.
Sincerely
Mrs. F. Storll
NOV. 25, 1963
ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN
Dearest Lady,
I felt compelled to write to you tonight. Although my letter may be only one among thousands—perhaps millions I felt I had to do something personal in this your and the nations hour of bereavement. I am just a
homely man—a father of three—a school teacher—a catholic with our home in the vast mid-west. I have spent the day like so many other millions of Americans watching the ceremonies from Washington; so often during the day I longed to reach out to comfort and help you—and this letter is all I can do. I and my family can however; pray—pray for you and your familys comfort and for the soul of our John Kennedy—this we shall do.
I am enclosing a copy of a letter I have sent to Senators Hart and MacNamara and Congressmen Lesinski and Staebler
Sincerely,
Thomas H. Runnals
November 25, 1963
Dear Sir:
On this the eve of the burial of our dear President John F.
Kennedy, I feel compelled to write to my senators and representatives in Washington for the first time. I would prayfully ask your support and efforts for any pending legislation on control of firearms. The more restricting the legislation the better. Why do people need firearms today? We have no Indians to fight or savage beasts to protect ourselves from.
Possibly the obvious answer to the question is to protect ones self from another person with a gun—a fine situation for this, the most “civilized” of nations. Would that we could impound every firearm in the nation and make it a federal offense to have one. If the Constitution needs changing in this respect, lets change it! If there is a cause for us all to feel responsible for our nations recent loss it is my firm belief that this is the crux of it all.
If no legislation is pending do all peace loving Americans a favor and introduce something to help protect us and our families from armed men who have
absolutely
no need for firearms to begin with. Law enforcement agencies should have
strict control of all firearms—hunting rifles should immediately be impounded after seasons—please help us.
Yours truly,
Mr. Thomas Runnals
Allen Park, Michigan
TACOMA, WASH.
NOV. 22 1964 3
Dear Mrs. Kennedy:
Like the whole world, I too have heard of your husbands death, (our honorable President). I too am grieved over his assassination. How could any one kill another? It’s barbaric, sickening, and just plain heartless. I do not know the president, nor have I ever met him in person, but I KNOW he is our president. Like myself, I am a catholic, and like the whole world, I am adding my prayers to pray for his soul, for you and your children.
I have two children, and I know how you must feel, being left with them, and not seeing your husband any more. I know I would feel like I too would want to die.
God Have Mercy On Your Husbands Assassin:
What is now to become of our world, with out our good president?
May I add one more thing Madam President?
Though there were things my husband and I disagreed on, that your husband thought was right, I could never take my revenge out in the way that someone did. I respect your late husband tactic, and I’m sure that he thought the decisions he made were in good faith.
I feel every one in this world, are some what responsible for the death of J. F. K. We are ignorant people and very hostile, and very prejudice. In stead of forgetting, Forgiving, and loving thy brother, we fight, and kill what we think are our aggressors. I have nothing more to say, except, MAY
GOD LIFT THE BURDEN OFF YOUR SHOULDER, AND MAKE YOUR TEARS A PILLOW FOR YOUR HUSBAND HEAD.
Grieviously I remain,
Mrs. Patricia Koop
P.S. If I spelled your name wrong, please forgive me. I am writing this letter with tear stained face and shaking hands.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
NOVEMBER
22, 1963
Dear Mrs. Kennedy:
There is no comfort to offer a lonely wife and fatherless children. May we thank you for everything you have given. It cannot be in vain. No petty difference or principle divides us on the value of human life. Behold a guilty and shamed nation. Pray for us someday as we pray for you and yours now.
Sincerely yours,
Betty Keat
(Mrs.)James Keat
BRANDON FLA
NOV 27, 1963
Dear Mrs. Kennedy
I am a Florida Dairy Farmer who has been a lifelong Republican. I am also Protestant and have been anti-Kennedy since 1960.
However I feel a desperate urge to exend my deepest sympathy to your children and to you. As an American I’m deeply ashamed at the manner in which the President met his end. As an American I’m also very proud of the great courage you displayed during the entire ordeal.
I have talked with many of my friends who have like back grounds and I can assure you their feelings are 100% the same as mine. We are so sorry.
May God be with you in the days and years ahead.
Sincerely Yours
Russell E Weir
SHIRLEY, MASSACHUSETTS
NOV 22, 1963
Dear Mrs Kennedy
This is the saddess day of my life would mean noting now. But let me tell about my self my name is Roger Lewis Burke Jr. I work as a dish washer at the Park Street Dinner 1 Park street Ayer Mass. I work for a fine man Lester W. Berry I am 20 years old.
I am taken a high school cource at home and later on I hope to go to the Harvard College in Harvard Mass. I am doing this for jack so so I can someing for my world. I never knew my father my mother gave me away when I was 1 day old to my grand parene Her name was OBrein. My mothr kill her self in Prov. Rhode island 1956
Jack was murdered because the earth we live on is full of vices in crimes grat corruption and evil
Jack is in paradice and he is looking down on us waiting to see iff all of us had the faith he through we had or we are nothing but amimals
Dear, Dear lady you are not alone ever man woman child on this univerce are with you all the way and look to God and remember
He shall dweal in the House of the lorde forever and ever some time in the future write to me and tell me that you are all right.
Roger L. Burke Jr
Dear John-John,
I’m sure you’ve been watching what has been going on these past few days before your third birthday. I saw you on T.V. the other night as you saluted that big black box as it went down the street on its cart. Because of that, I decided to write to you to tell you why you won’t see Daddy anymore.
I’m sure it’s very hard to understand—even I can’t believe what’s been going on in front of my very eyes.
What is going on in Dallas now is very ugly. Cancer is a disease that spreads through the blood and lives off the very important parts of the body until those parts are so changed that the person dies. It’s sort of the same way in Dallas. A cancer is down there, too. It’s not something that you can cure, because it’s hate. I’m sure you’ve felt hate once or twice, but after awhile it goes away and you feel better again. The hate in Dallas does not go away. It’s called “blind” hate—and that’s the cancer that’s flowing through the bloodstream of America, poisoning it’s organs and ruining it’s functions until it dies of this disease.
Your Daddy wanted to see this cancer. He went right to it’s center to see if he couldn’t make the people be nicer or at least make them find out why they are hating. But I guess they didn’t have time to find out. Maybe it’s because Daddy didn’t even have time to tell them, because before he could, the cancer began wrapping it’s tentacles around him, the tentacles of hate, and discrimination, and bigotry, until the squeezing got too hard, and Daddy slumped in his seat.
You won’t ever see Daddy, but many part of him will still be there. You won’t find them by looking with your eyes for them, but, when you get older, you will know how to look another way. It is called looking with your soul. You will find many, many parts of your Daddy which he left for you to take by looking that way. Many people cannot look that way, and so cannot find the things to take and to love. I hope you find them and take them.
You will understand much more when you grow up, John-John, but right now be nice to Mommy, because she does understand.
These are the things I wanted to write to you about, John-John, when I saw you salute that big black box.
[NO SIGNATURE, PLACE]
321376
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CENSORED
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COOKCOUNTY JAIL
To the First Lady
Mrs John F. Kennedy
To you I take this opportunity to express my feeling towards the greatest American ever lived, most of all your pride for one such as Mr Kennedy, should never be forgotten. We've lost a great fighter, and most of all one which have the knowings of his fellow man. As we read in our Heavenly bible, earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal. Mrs Kennedy I must say you’re a great soldier, one of strong feel, you are to be honor for your outstanding manner in which you’ve held yourself during the tragic hour; you are quite a Lady. May heaven ring many a blessing around your path. Prayer is the key which shall unlock the door, and faith shall embrace it’s wealth. Your little lady Caroline, all I can say she’s a darling, the world loves her madly, you have children which you can be very proud of. If you notice my tribute to your husband isn’t of fancy work, yet it is written from the very depths of my heart. I am no one special, just an inmate of Illinois.
Yours Truely
Ricco Barnes 321376
Cook County Jail E-1
Chicago ill
A Tribute to Mr J.F.K.
You the congress of these United States and offices of leadership In the late President John F. Kennedy, yo’ve lost a very magnificant man into the arms of earth.
His pride and dignity, none could ever surpass, his warmth was one never to be forgotten.
Leaving behind millions to weep, both national and international Also leaving our traitors to joy at our sudden lost, declaring their friction in our land of great Freedom Oh how it must hurt, Mr and Mrs America’s hearts, to know that their is slaughtering going on in these United States of America Killing each other as tho they were Texas cattle in a pen Oh God!! bless our nation, and protect our leaders along their path From men whom dignity have no cause.
Spray your loving grace around Jackie and her tots…