Letters to Jackie (34 page)
Authors: Ellen Fitzpatrick
BROOKLYN, N.Y.
NOVEMBER 27, 1963
Dear Mrs. Kennedy,
I am very sorry about the death of President Kennedy. I know he did much to help our country and to show how much I liked him, I am going to try to be a better boy.
All the children in my class are praying every day for the President and for the family. I too am praying very hard especially for you and Caroline and John.
May God Bless you.
Respectfully yours,
George Wysota
BATAVIA, ILLINOIS
JANUARY 16, 1964
Dear Mrs Kennedy,
Since November 22, I have shared your grief for the lose of our beloved president, but only now can I bring myself to write it down and tell you.
I live in a small town (7,600) where I am a freshman in high school. Batavia is very Republican. When Mr Kennedy came through Batavia in 1960, he was met with Nixon posters. Though I was only in sixth grade, I managed to push my way through the crowds to shake his hand. It was the thrill of my life and I shall never forget it.
I was taking an Algebra test on November 22 when our assistant principle came in to talk to our Algebra teacher. He left and our teacher turned around and said the words which echo in my mind—“The President has been shot—in Texas. It could be fatal.” People looked at me, but I didn’t cry. “He’s all right” I kept on saying and I prayed. Algebra was over and I went to Social Science. My best friend met me there and said, “Be, he’s dead.” I didn’t say anything. I just kept thinking it isn’t true. Miss Sieler came in and told us it was true. He was dead.
Now Social Science is a discussion class and about half the time, it’s polatics. I’m outnumbered 30-1. Teacher and all. People used to say, “Kennedy’s doing this or that wrong” and I’d say “He is not! What would you do?” I always had an answer because I don’t think I missed more than three press conferences and I still have my scrapebook from 1960 with over 300 pictures of you and him, so I could quote about anything he said. Well, now he was gone. Everyone looked at me. There I sat—The Big Democrat, The Kennedy Defender (Nick-names I was proud of). Now he’s gone. How will she take it? They seemed to say.
I tried not to cry, Mrs. Kennedy, I really tried. During the funeral and the burial I tried, but I just sat in front of the television and thought of him, and you and Caroline and John-John and cried and I’m crying now.
We had a service for him that Sunday. I played in the Band. All I can
remember is not being able to see the music because I was crying. That’s all I can remember. He was a great man and a Republican town paid tribute.
I could ramble on for hours but I won’t. I can not say anything to ease the hurt. If I could, I would say it to myself, too. But, though I didn’t even know him, I loved him. We must think of him in heaven, for he is happy.
Yours very truly,
Bridget Tierney
A
fter leaving the White House, Jacqueline Kennedy returned to private life. The days of tumultuous political life in the nation’s capital, glittering state dinners, and the constant duties of First Lady were behind her. She remained one of the most photographed and publicly pursued women in the world until her death in May 1994. But she sought throughout her life to guard her privacy. It is striking to see how many Americans recognized from the moment of the assassination that they had lost not only the President but the First Lady and children they felt they knew so intimately. The loss of the vicarious pleasure many took in the young White House family itself was a source of grief. Some asked Jacqueline Kennedy “not to leave us.” Many thanked her for her service to the country and offered this valedictory: “Jackie, we shall miss you.”
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
My dear Mrs. Kennedy:
I just saw your lovely face on television and heard you speak. And all the while, a feeling of great pain overwhelmed me because I know that your public appearances will be all too few and the family we have
come to love so dearly will become news we find occasionally in the papers. Yes, we have come to think of all of you as belonging to us. It was so wonderful to feel part of the great excitement our dear president gave us all. And to be part of you, watching the children grow and seeing the grace and beauty both of you brought to our land. Yes, a lovely bright light went out for us, and we share with you and the children and the family the tragic loss that can never become a thing of objectivity. But we have another loss—we have lost you and the children and we miss you very much. We felt that we could watch Caroline and John-John grow, and share with you and our beloved president the joy of family. And now we feel doubly bereft.
I know you have received so many messages very much like this one, but I did want to tell you how lonely we are for the sight of our First Family. The brightness and electric excitement have gone out of the news, for we cannot get used to turning on the television and not seeing that wonderful smile and the brilliant eyes. We could tell when a wry remark was coming and watched for it in delighted anticipation. It isn’t the same anymore. We will back everything he fought for so hard, because of him, but there is no pleasure behind it. I do not mean any disrespect to Mr. Johnson for I know how hard it must be for him to even begin to fill a role that such a brilliant, sparkling man left vacant. But ordinary men seem to be in government now. And government will go back to being ordinary once more.
Please don’t disappear from our view. We want to know how you are faring, how the children are, if you all are well, and above all we want to have you lean back and rest against us, knowing that our love does sustain you and is there for you and the children, dear Mrs. Kennedy. We know how great was your loss because our loss was great too. How we love him; I shall not say loved, because his memory will not dim for us. He was a lovely shining knight and we are thankful that we were privileged to know him and to have him lead us.
May I write to you from time to time to find out if you are all right
and if the children are all right too? We love you very much and don’t want to lose touch. We hope to be able to come to Washington soon to visit “our grave” and pay our respects.
Keep well and God watch over you and the children.
With deepest affection,
Ethel Bedsow
Ethel (and Norman) Bedsow
JAMAICA, N.Y.
NOVEMBER 26TH 1963.
Dear Mrs Kennedy,
You will remember some time ago, I mailed a letter to your Dear Husband, in care of you. He received it and I got a reply. I am that same person (Picture above).
This is the saddest moment of my life, For never did I ever think such a tragedy would have happened to you and a President so many of us loved. The first time He came on the Air to talk to us, I said to my Husband, That’s my Boy. and so I knew He was the man these United States was waiting for, Now, I wish he had lost, But we cannot look into the future.
It is true that we all say “God knows Best but I will never believe, God was instrumental in this Destructive tragedy For God is a Good God.
Never in the History of these United States, such a Demonstration of Love and Affection has been shown to any President, even Mr Roosevelt who I had loved as much as your Husband. I watched every minute that My T V showed. I cried with you, I grieved with You, I walked with you, I even knelt at the Altar with you, I stood beside you at the Cemetery as the flag was placed in your hand, My spirit will always be with you, for you like your Dear Husband are wonderful.
Many critisized him when they saw little John John in Arlington with his father, But I thought it was a very adorable action on his part, tho’ I know he had not planned it, To me it was lovely seeing him tod
dling around the Daddy he loved, Now my heart also goes out to him.
I know that God in His Mercies will keep close to you and your children, for I do think you are, and will be a devoted Mother to them. I don’t care after this who will be a first Lady, but you will always be that to me.
It is said that time will heal all wounds, but Will it? For I have been in similar positions and my heart still aches for my loved ones,
The cruel death Our late President met, we will never forget, as he was taken in the bloom of his health and life. I don’t want to sadden you, I want you to know that there are many of us who will always be devoted to his Memory, as a Good Clean faithful President. He will be missed by each American Democrat. Those who hated him are Nonenties, and are in the minority, so never let that disturb you.
To his Mother and Father, My heart goes out to them also knowing it was their love that made him what he was. So may the Good lord strengthen them to bear this cruelty that been dealt out them, for they too are wonderful Parents.
Take care of you babies, I know their fathers Spiritwill always be near to guide them, and that will be my constant Prayer, May he give you the strength to hold your head up high as you always were, Do Never forget God is a Good God and He will never forsake us who loves Him and keep close to Him. I would like to know where you will be, so I can always drop you a card of Cheer
Sincerely & Faithfully
M.R. McCormack
(Mrs) Melbro R. McCormack.
DEC. 5, 1963
SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS,
NEW JERSEY
Dear Mrs. Kennedy,
Our nations loss. You not being in the White House. You and the President were the ideal couple. He was so loved, by all people—even me,
a staunch Republican, and now when ever I hear some thing I don’t like, I immediately come to your rescue. So gracious a First Lady. So many wonderful ideas for the White House—you know it was startling at first when you read about one of your projects, but then, you realized—what a wonderful idea, And that tour of the White House—I lived every minute of it, not even seeing it in person—it was the next best thing. The American people thank you for making people like me aware of what a wonderful country this is. There you were sharing it with the World—It wasn’t yours, you were just taking care of it for us, and you wanted us to know. I’m almost afraid—me—writing to you—but our town misses you. When this tragedy struck, I felt like Peter Pan—when Tinker Bell was dying—if the children clapped long enough and hard enough—Tinker Bell would hear them and come alive—Well, they did clap, and she did live. And I thought if the American people cried hard enough and long enough—We would wake up and it would all be a dream—Well the American people did, and still are—but this isnt a fairy tale, this is for real, and we are all a part of it. I want to say “thanks,” for knowing you and your husband—laughing with the sense of humor—crying with your sorrow—enjoying the children—Saluting the flag now is no more sing song—Every word is like a word from my prayer book.
To you Mrs Kennedy—Carry on as nobly as you did during those long four days—We walked every step with you—you made the American people so proud. We were so fortunate to have you in the White House—your ideas will live for ever. May the days ahead lessen the pain—may you find peace with God—and forgiveness in your heart. Good things will come from you. How do you end a letter to a “First Lady”—? I don’t know—I just know your wonderful and thank you for a job well done. The country will miss you.
Estelle Sherman
(Mrs. George E.)
PEACE CORPS
ADDIS ABABA-ETHIOPIA
NOVEMBER 26, 1963
Dear Mrs. Kennedy:
You know the admiration and respect—the devotion—I had for your husband. Now you should know that in addition to all the sympathy in the world, this universal admiration and respect is now yours. One sunny afternoon, on the eve of the election, holding Caroline by the hand, the Senator walked toward his campaign plane, and I sensed he was walking into history. You have walked with him. He came back, a few days later, the President. You became in every sense the First Lady. That is no help to you now, but it may help a little to know that you have the nation’s deepest thanks.
Sincerely,
Harris Wofford
T
he care and emotion in these condolence letters reflect the reactions of an extraordinarily diverse collection of American citizens. Not long after the assassination, two writers commented explicitly on what they believed would be the lasting significance of the hundreds of thousands of letters they knew Mrs. Kennedy was receiving. It seems fitting to end this book with the observations of one who explains why she had taken the time to write a letter, knowing full well the enormous volume of messages already delivered. The other offers a raison d’être for a collection of letters that preserves the response of ordinary citizens to the death of President Kennedy.
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 19, 1964
Dear Mrs. Kennedy:
There is only one way to be absolutely sure that in future generations no person can say, “Eight hundred thousand? Well, that’s really not very
many out of some one hundred and seventy million, is it?” At least one letter will represent the uncountable numbers who never express their thoughts and feelings through correspondence to editorial pages, or to their representatives in government, or to people not personally known to them.
As a registered Republican who in fact is an independent, as a voluble anti-Kennedy-dynasty citizen, and as a voter who disapproved of many, not all, but many of the late President’s programs, his death shocked me more than words can encompass. Yet the depth of my grief was almost as large a shock. To be robbed of his presence on this planet, of the privilege of voting against him; many of the silent ones in this republic, this very great republic, experienced thoughts and feelings they did not and probably never will communicate to you.
It is my belief that this percentage of Americans may be the highest of all. In any event, they are now a part of that museum.
I was so proud of that man, of you, and of the family. So proud, but so shocked that I never even knew it until a sick, confused soul destroyed one of those who sought to help him most.