In Memory of President John F. Kennedy – My Visit to the JFK Library on November 22, 2013

I have just returned from yet another “pilgrimage” to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. This time it was to commemorate an event that has shocked and traumatized a nation and I think has not recovered since. The event was the death of the young, vibrant, inspirational, and unforgettable 35th President of the United States: John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

It has been exactly fifty years to the day when a bright beacon of hope became extinguished, and the face of the nation was changed forever. Yet he remains a fascination to scholars and lay persons alike and those who still remember him as the brilliant and confident ruler who reigned for a little more than one thousand days. I know that it is strange for me to write of him in those terms, especially since I was not born until twenty-three years after he was gone. I never lived through his brief tenure as leader of the free world. I have no living memories of his memorable and iconic speeches and yet I am fascinated by him and awed by his brilliance. So much so that I would go and visit the library and museum named in his honor, especially on this day. I knew that I had to be there among those who remember him still and for those born after the events who still appreciate what we have lost.

I went there early by train and spent almost the entire late morning and afternoon there. The library had expected a large surge of people commemorating the event there and I was determined to be one of them. I arrived sometime before 10:00 in the morning and signed the guest book. Afterwards, I went to the area where people were sitting and watching video of a montage of still and film footage highlighting the ceremonial events leading up to the funeral of President Kennedy on November 25, 1963 (The video is online and is entitled “A Nation Remembers: November 23-25, 1963”). Some who have lived through these events took out handkerchiefs and tissues and wiped the tears from their eyes. It was a room full of sadness and remembering.

Also, in the room where artifacts on display from the state funeral on November 25th of that year. Among them was a black saddle with black riderless boots placed in reverse in the stirrups indicating that the rider had fallen. This was mounted upon a horse named "Black Jack," following the caisson which bore the coffin containing the late president in the funeral procession which was modelled after that of another martyred president: Abraham Lincoln. Also on display was Green Beret hat that had been placed on President Kennedy’s grave by Command Sergeant Major Francis Ruddy on the day of the burial. I remember most vividly that flag that draped President Kennedy's coffin, carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat by enlisted soldiers, and presented to Mrs. Kennedy on that sad and mournful day. These items were on display for the first time and would remain so until March 30, 2014.

I then went into the museum to re-emerge myself into the era of Camelot and to more fully appreciate the times in which he lived and presided over. 

At 1:30pm, a special musical tribute would be performed at the Pavilion called “A Nation Remembers: A Tribute to President John F. Kennedy,” with musical guest such as Award-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor; award-winning saxophonist Paul Winter and the Paul Winter Sextext; and the United States Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club. The musical guests would be joined by the Deval Patrick, the incumbent Governor of Massachusetts; Elaine Jones, director-counsel emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and whom I had seen two months and thirty-five days before at the JFK Library; Chris Cassidy a NASA Astronaut and US Naval Commander, Navy SEAL; Richard Blanco, the poet for the second presidential inauguration of Barack Obama; and a young girl named Sarah Groustra who an an 8th grade student from the Edward Devotion School in Brookline just 5.6 miles away. Coincidentally, it was the same school Kennedy attended as a boy. All of these notable guests would read excerpts from some of most memorable and historic speeches made by President Kennedy during his tenure in office. This would be the highlight of the day's events.

There would be no physical audience allowed at the Pavilion so we had to view it via satellite at Smith Center, which I didn't mind. I made my way to Smith Center via elevator and found a seat near the front even though it was crowded. I was told that some people had to be turned away because there was no room for entry into the building. We were shown a brief video about the Profiles in Courage Award and then we saw the musical tribute performed via satellite on a large screen. After it was done, I made my way to the JFK Cafe and as it was reopening and a curtain ws removed at the staircase leading to the Pavilion. I stood a chair and took a gratified view overlooking the notable guests as they posed together for a group picture. Afterwards, I went into the JFK Cafe and after eating a small lunch, I went to the JFK Library store to browse through the items. I wanted to buy something in commemoration of the event and after some deliberation I bought a hardcover copy of “JFK's Last Hundred Days: The Transformation of a Man and the Emergence of a Great President” by Thurston Clarke. After this, I took the shuttle bus which took me back to JFK/UMass Station and from there, I returned to South Station and then home, where I am now typing this brief memoir of the day's events.

As I reflect on the day's events and find myself thinking about John F. Kennedy, I am wondering why since I never knew him, why I made the trip to Boston to remember that he lived. While the rest of the country is engaged in discussion about his tragic death, I think it would be more appropriate to concentrate on his unfinished life. Born into wealth and privilege in 1917, had numerous health problems growing up, served in the military during the second world war, ran for congress, senate, and president with no political defeat (except one in 1956), served in the highest office for almost three years, and is suddenly gone. Why do we love him so? Why do we admire him still after fifty years? Why is he so captivating long after he was taken at the age of forty-six?

Twenty-nine days before, I had attended another forum at the John F. Kennedy Library discussing his legacy and renowned historian Robert Dallek, the author of "An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963" and "Camelot's Court: Inside The Kennedy White House", gave this assessment. “As I watch these films,” he said in reference to the American Experience documentary on the life of the 35th President which aired ten days ago, “what I'm struck by is how frozen he is in our minds at the age of 46. Nobody can imagine that he'd be 96 years old today. And it's not as if he looks like some 19th century figure with a high collar; he's one of us. He still looks like us, looks like he's part of our culture. I can go on and on about the fact that he has an 85% approval rating and 1,000-day Presidency. How does one account for that? I think it has to do with the Presidents who succeeded him - Johnson in Vietnam, Nixon in Watergate, the two Bushes about whom people were not happy, Ford, Carter. Kennedy is the one who still gives people hope. He's an inspirational voice. People see him as promising a better day for America.”

That assessment is better than anything that I could have expressed here. When I think of Kennedy, I think of the young and vibrant president smiling and waving to the crowds who wanted to catch a glimpse of him as I have seen in archival footage of him, shaking their hands as he makes his way to either make a speech or on the way back to Air Force One for his return to Washington. To me, he seems so heroic, full of vitality, vigor, and inspiration. He is still an inspirational voice to those who want to believe in heroes again. His speeches are memorable and often quotable. So many people want to emulate him, speak like him, act like him, and inspire others as he did. I must admit that when I was a college student, I studied his mannerism and cadence because for a time, I wanted to be a public servant and tried to emulate his cadence whenever I had to make a public discourse. If I can paraphrase from Historian Timothy Naftali, He is remembered for having setup so much in motion throughout his short time in office. He is also remembered for keeping America from the brink of nuclear war with the Soviet Union. It is remarkable to see how he was to keep cool under all that pressure from so many people pushing him in different directions that he eventually decided to take a peaceful route in order to avoid a nuclear holocaust.

He is primarily remembered for giving America a sense of obligation. With his iconic phrase delivered at his inauguration, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,” he gave in his call to action, inspiration for all of his fellow countrymen to become active to serve their capacity to make America strong and great. He challenged us not only to do better, but to be better. He called all people who heard his voice to be committed to preserving freedom even during times of strife in what he called “the hour of maximum danger.”  Although there is an eternal visible flame which burns in Arlington National Cemetery, with his immortal words, he ignited a flame that from that time has not been extinguished “and the glow from that fire will truly light the world.”  Indeed, it has. People are still serving as soldiers defending civilians abroad, teachers instructing students in classrooms, public servants working law courts and town halls, and so much more. He made us believe that we could do it and from Kennedy's day to ours, people still believe. Yes, he is gone and yet he is still here. “A man may die,” Kennedy once said, “nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on." His words survive as a testament to hope. Even though the word “hope” has become a form of cliché and is seen as a byword for blind optimism, hope is what we need to give us the strength to make it through the day and we still hold on to that promise. He is loved today because gave America a sense of hope. He gave this country a sense that better days are still to come and that we can expect and look forward to a brighter future. He still appeals to us because we want to feel that our country still has a future.

Even though there may be some controversies surrounding him, Kennedy is still widely loved by the public and remembered fondly by those of living memory. Soon those living memories will become history and there are still those yet unborn who may never fully appreciate what he stood for and what he gave of himself to do the job he was elected to do in 1960. The final words in the American Experience film “JFK” were spoken by Harris Wofford, who knew and was an advisor to President Kennedy. In it he said, “We will never know whether he would have been a great president. I'd bet on him, but we didn't have that chance.” He is right. We didn't have that chance. Those of us who were not yet born didn't have that chance of experiencing those 1,036 days of the Kennedy White House. If there is anyone who does want to understand what we had, I can strongly recommend that they can pay a visit to the presidential library and museum which bears the name and preserves the legacy of the man who kept us out of nuclear war, inspired us with the eloquence of his words, and sought restore hope in the hearts of all people throughout the world. May we never forget the name of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

My Visit to the JFK Library & The Legacy of JFK Forum

Yesterday was October 24, 2013, the 51st Anniversary of the naval quarantine of Cuba ordered by President John F. Kennedy, which went into effect during the missile crisis in 1962. Coincidentally, I made yet another visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. This time it was to attend another event. The event that was being hosted was a forum made in collaboration with “The American Experience”, a history documentary series produced by PBS (In fact, film clips would be shown from the upcoming American Experience film documentary: JFK, airing on November 11 and 12 of this year), and “The Atlantic”, an American magazine commentating on cultural and political issues based in Boston, Massachusetts. The contributors of this would be mostly historians and scholars. They were Timothy Naftali (a Canadian-American historian and former director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum), Nicholas Lemann (a professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism), Thomas Mallon (a professor of English at George Washington University, a critic, essayist, and novelist having written seven non-fiction and eight fictional books dealing with historical events), Andrew Young (a politician, diplomat, activist, pastor from Georgia, and was a friend and ally of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.), and Robert Dallek (a former Professor of History at Boston University and currently a historian having written eighteen books, all specializing on American presidents of the twentieth century). All of these collective minds would be discussing the legacy of President Kennedy.

Like most events of this genre of history, I had looked forward to this for some time and like the previous event I had gone to at the JFK Library, I had registered for the event online. It was significant to me because this was the first forum that was held there since the government reopened on October 16 of this year. On October 1st, a government shutdown took place and because of it places like JFK Library has been closed and all the upcoming forums had either been canceled or changed. I was not happy about it since I had been planning this trip for some time. When I learned that they were hosting “A Conversation with Malala Yousafzai”, the 15-year-old girl shot by the Taliban last October because of her advocacy for children’s education on the campus of Boston College, right next to the presidential library, there was still a glimmer of hope left. Then on the 16th, the government reopened, and everything went on as scheduled. I had the plan mapped out for months. I was checking and rechecking train schedules, directions on google maps, weather forecast, and calling the library periodically to make sure the event was still on. Since the government shutdown, I wasn't sure if the event was still being held so that's why I called periodically. I called Jennifer to see if she could lend the use of her camera once again. Sometime before that, I asked her to register on online for the event so that we could attend together. She had to work that day at a school, so we planned to meet in the evening when the event started at 6:00 p.m.

Anyways, this was how the day started. I had woken up unexpectedly at 7:57 in the morning. I had slept reasonably well I think. I turned on my laptop and rechecked the time of the train arrival into Framingham that would take me to Boston. The scheduled time was 9:11 in the morning. With some spare time, I decided to shave, shower, have breakfast and get dressed. As I had done before, I quickly got dressed in a black suit and a white dress shirt. I had thought about wearing my patriotic tie depicting small portraits of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and John F. Kennedy on an American flag, but decided against it so I wore a different tie. I dressed in layers underneath so that I would not be freezing as I would walk to the train station. After having done so, I checked my wallet (which had enough money), recently charged cellphone, keys to my one room apartment and entry. I also had a book-bag, in which I placed some winter gloves and a unique hybrid scarf and hood to protect my neck and ears, although I would not need it until the return journey.  In addition, I brought my hardcover copy of “An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917–1963” with me primarily because I wanted Robert Dallek to sign it. This would make him the second historian who would sign a historical-biographical book I owned since John Stauffer, who signed my copy of "Giants: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln", when he visited the Framingham Public Library on March 19, 2009.

I was out the door by 8:35am and had arrived on foot at the train station at 9:08 am, just three minutes ahead of schedule. As I was walking to the place where I would get onboard, a young man asked me if I knew if this same train would get to Wellesley. I was told that there was a map of the commuter posted nearby and led him to it. On the way, I asked him if was going to the Massbay Community College Campus there. He said he was. Soon we got deep into conversation over our interests. His name is Uluc, but he told me his name was Uge (Think of the word "huge" and take away the letter "h" and that's how it sounds). He had come from Turkey to study in the United States to become a filmmaker. Apparently, he had completed his studies overseas, but the cameras used over in Turkey where different than that of ours so he basically had to take the same classes only it had to be done in this country. Soon the train arrived as scheduled. We boarded and Uluc and I sat together, still continuing our conversation. He showed me his pictures on his phone and then I let him send me a friend request through facebook. When he left, I started reading the first chapter of Professor Dallek's biography of the 35th President of the United States.

The train arrived at South Station a few minutes before 10:00. I had less trouble trying to make sense of paying the $2.50 fare through the use of the machine, but thankfully a staff member came to assist me. By accident I paid five dollars instead and I thought myself an idiot for doing so, but it was too late. Although I felt that I had wasted my money, I wasn't about to ask for it back. Anyways, I paid my fare and went onto the red line. A red line train soon arrived, and I was well on my way or so I thought. When I got on a sat down in an empty seat, a few minutes passed before I realized I was headed in the wrong direction, north to Alewife. At the very next stop (Downtown Crossing), I crossed over to the other side, having to pay another $2.50 through the same five-dollar ticket I purchased. So, my money really wasn't wasted after all. Another train for the red line arrived, before I knew it, I was at the JFK/UMass station. At the bus stop nearby, there was a bus packed with students on their way to the campus of UMass Boston. I thought to wait for a bus heading directly to the presidential library, but I didn't want to wait. Besides, I thought, if the presidential library is right next to the campus, then I could walk from the campus to my destination. So, I boarded with the students headed for the campus. On the way, I saw the students there talking about their classes and assignment, while I stood there envying them. I had forgotten how much I had missed being a college student, full of promise and hope for the future. Anyways, the bus stopped at the front of the campus center, and I started to walk, but I soon realized that it would take a lot longer than I had thought. As another bus came to stop at the campus center, I ran back to catch up with it. There were two buses I think were headed to the presidential library and when I reached the first bus nearest to me, the driver suggested that I go on the bus in front of us, which was parked rather crookedly and blocked space for the other buses. The other driver was not there, but he had soon returned and let me go with him. He told me he would drive me to the parking lot entrance and drop me off there. I was fine with that so off we went. I was dropped at the parking lot and made my way to the entrance of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.

As I was walking to the entrance, I saw another bus already parked where a group of sixty girls, aged 14-18, all dressed in green sweaters had also arrived. As I entered the building, they entered as well. I soon discovered that these students were from an academy called the Channing School on Highgate Hill in Highgate, North London, England. It is a Unitarian private school founded on the principles of William Ellery Channing, the father of Unitarianism. The girls were all members of a choir and were planning to perform at the pavilion at 1:30 that afternoon. I paid $12.00 for admission to the museum, although I did not receive a map or brochure, we all walked into the theater where a seventeen-minute introductory video would be shown. In a brief introduction, by the lead staff member, we were warned not to touch the glass at the pavilion because it was fragile, and it was meant to support the weight of the building not people. Apparently, they had to repair some damage done recently. Anyways, he made the introduction, and the video was shown. I had not seen the film in nine years. It depicted the life of President Kennedy, told in his own words about his early life, experiences, with the use of vintage footage leading up to the Democratic National Convention of 1960.

After the film ended, we made our way to the exhibits. We stepped into a recreation of the 1960 Democratic National Convention, in which a video of Senator John F. Kennedy accepting his party’s nomination is played on a continuous loop. Then we walked into a recreation of the main streets of America, in which are 1960s campaign commercials, songs, and excerpts of candidates Kennedy and Nixon delivering their speeches are shown along with a recreation of a Kennedy Campaign office filled with campaign paraphernalia. There was also reproduction of the television studio where the first debate between the candidates took place in Chicago, Illinois with the actual television camera and audio control used in that studio were on display. Next, we stepped into a recreation of Inauguration Day, January 20, 1961. That day was when Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. It was on that day that he gave the immortal words, which have become a part of the American canon: "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

After viewing a large display of the presidential seal, I stepped into what looked like the interior of the White House. I had remembered the first time I had seen the corridor at age of sixteen only ten years before. I stood in awe of the regal and grand atmosphere and for a brief moment I felt as though I had actually walked from the JFK Library in Boston into the White House in Washington DC. 

There was a recreation of the briefing room, with footage of President Kennedy's press conferences and speech in Berlin. I saw the handwritten notecard in which he used phonetically to help him pronounce the foreign words, "Ich bin ein berliner" to encourage the people of Germany. Then there was a temporary display of the Freedom 7 Space Capsule, on loan from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC through December 2015. 

Also on display was a large painting called "Portrait of President John F. Kennedy" by Elaine de Kooning, commissioned on behalf of the Truman Library to reflect the freedom of the "New Frontier" in 1962. 

There was a special exhibit called "In Her Voice: Jacqueline Kennedy, The White House Years" in which in March of 1964, five months after the death of President Kennedy, his widow Jacqueline recorded a series of interviews with historian and family friend Arthur Schlesinger about her time in the White House. There were quotes which she gave in the interview that were posted throughout the exhibit, this one really stood out: "It was really the happiest time of my life. It was when we were the closest-- I didn't realize the physical closeness of having his office . . . in the same building and seeing him so many times a day". There was a replica of the wedding dress that was worn on her wedding day, unfortunately the original would not be on display because it was too fragile. I had actually seen the original on display when I had first visited the museum ten years before.

Next was a recreation of the office of Attorney General, who everyone knew at the time was the President's younger brother: Robert Francis Kennedy. On top of a desk and encased in glass, were documents and personal items of Robert Kennedy, including a pair of glasses, pens and pencils, his original telephone, bookends, and drawings taped on the wall from his young children. 

Then came The Oval Office exhibit with a replica the HMS Resolute desk which President Kennedy and now used by recent presidents. The desk was bare of items to show what the oval office might have been like when President Kennedy gave televised addresses. I kept trying to imagine the president seated at the desk, looking into the camera, speaking words to either warn or inspire the country. Above  each side of the desk were two television screens showing footage of civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama, the enrollment of the first black students at the University of Alabama, President Kennedy’s June 1963 address to the nation on civil rights, as well as footage of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering his “I Have a Dream Speech” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. As the footage was playing, I couldn't help but remember when I last visited the library two months before when I attended a forum regarding "The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom" and "A Conversation with John Lewis."

It was at this point I decided to use the bathroom, so I went through the exiting doors of reproduction of the Attorney General's office. After having used it, I entered into a hallway, of which I didn't know where it would lead. My curiousity got the better of me and I soon found myself at the "To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis" special exhibit on display until December 1, 2013. 

I walked inside the exhibit and was greeted by a screen of President Kennedy's evening address of October 22, 1962, in which he stated:  "It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union." There were about five or six stations of secret White House recording of the Cabinet meetings, now declassified. There was a moment I remember from one station when it showed a conversation between Air Force chief of staff General Curtis LeMay and JFK, who had utter contempt for each other. At one point Lemay remarked,"You're in a pretty bad fix, Mr. President. "What did you say," the president asked.  "You're in a pretty bad fix," Lemay responded. Without missing a beat, President Kennedy replied, "You're in there with me." That part was also recreated in a scene from the 2000 film "Thirteen Days" which is about President Kennedy's handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Like the film, the exhibit showed the tense mood of that period. There was a perception that young people might not live long, the missiles might be fired, and war seemed inevitable. Of course, we know that the crisis was solved, we how it ended, but they didn't. They weren't sure of the outcome.

After visiting the exhibit, I saw that it was a few minutes after 1:30 in the afternoon, and the students from I walked to the Museum Pavilion, where Channing School choir were already assembled and singing. I quietly made my way to a seat to view them as they sang. It was heavenly to listen to. I wish that I had recorded the singing on my phone. They sang two hymns, which I sadly cannot identify. After the songs were sung by the students, I helped in leading out the applause. One of the chaperones then chatted with me for a bit, telling me the choir was singing later that evening at a special concert at the Arlington Street Church, located at 351 Boylston Street in Boston, about five miles north of the Kennedy Library. As she invited me, I hinted that I would come when deep down I knew I couldn't. After all, I had intended to attend the panel discussion later that evening. If I could be at two places at once I would possibly have gone to enjoy both events at the same time. Unfortunately, this is not humanly possible. Anyways, after we chatted for a while, I excused myself and returned to the museum to finish my exploration of the days of President Kennedy in the White House.

I walked back through the doors leading back to the reproduction of the Attorney General's office, past the oval office replica, and viewed the exhibits dedicated to the First Lady, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. On display was the red day suit worn by her when she visited the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ottawa, Canada on May 16, 1961. I remembered seeing a golden Emmy statue for the television special she hosted showcasing her efforts in restoring the White House. Next came the Kennedy Family exhibit, which touched on the Kennedy's dynamic relatives. Of the artifacts on display, I strongly recalled Kathleen Kennedy's Red Cross uniform jacket and the Coconut Shell Paperweight, which the President had displayed on his desk in the Oval Office. I vividly recalled images of the paperweight being used in the film "Thirteen Days". I then went into a darkened room where the words “November 22, 1963” was highlighted. 

In it were several screens showcasing the moment when Walter Cronkite, the former CBS newscaster, announce on the air that the president had died. I then walked through an area where the legacy of President Kennedy was highlighted through videos of different speeches and remarks by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Robert F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy and so on. Just before the entrance to the Pavilion stood a section of the Berlin Wall, which according to the website is 12 ft. height x 4 ft. width x 7 in. deep. I kept thinking when I had seen it of the people of Germany who had been separated from loved ones for 28 years because of this. It took the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush to finally remove the wall of needless separation and reunite families that had been torn apart for almost two decades. Both presidents have individual sections of the Berlin Wall housed at their own presidential libraries. If only President Kennedy had lived to see that day, I wonder what he would have thought.

I walked through the Pavilion and up the stairs to the JFK Cafe where I had my lunch. After that, I decided to go to the museum again. Yes, I know it's strange to do that, but hear me out. I had some spare time (about three hours) until the forum would begin so I needed to occupy my mind. I didn't know what else to do. I walked to the theater where they showed the introductory video. After I was seated, a staff member came up to me and asked me if I knew that I was watching the same film I had seen earlier that day. I said yes and immediately thought I shouldn't have gone there at all. He was probably wondering why on earth would I watch this film again. I can't say I blame him because no normal person would do that. Anyway, we watched the film again and went into the museum. This time I decided on joining a group led by a tour guide and to my surprise I learned more about the times of Kennedy's presidency than I had known before. Whenever there was a question that the tour guide could not answer, I spoke up, not abruptly, but politely, and gave some anecdotes. After that, I went to the JFK Cafe again and drank grape juice.

From the time the museum closed at 5:00pm until the forum commenced at 6:00, I cannot recall. I did go to the library store to buy some souvenirs.

I bought a miniature flashlight and a magnet depicting the historic meeting of when young Bill Clinton met President Kennedy on July 24, 1963. I called Jennifer to see when we could meet. I believed that she arrived just before 6:00. Meanwhile Robert Dallek, the historian I had hoped for a photo op with, had finally arrived at the library. They had placed a table just outside of Smith Center (the auditorium where the event was to be held) where Dr. Dallek would be seated as he would be signing autographs. I went to an aide and asked if it was possible for a photo op. She didn't think it was. I didn't challenge her, but merely acquiesced. As I stood in line, I noticed other people holding hardcover copies of “An Unfinished Life” as well as Dallek's newly released book: “Camelot's Court: Inside the Kennedy White House”. A few days before, I had seen a hardcover copy of “Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961-1973” at the Framingham Public Library for $2.00. I should have bought it before it disappeared (which it did) so that Dr. Dallek would have signed it as well. Ahead of me was a gentleman who told Dr. Dallek that he had traveled from Ireland just to meet to him and after a few minutes, my turn came. “Hello Professor Dallek,” I said as I placed my book on the table. “Hi,” he replied and then asked, “and who am I making this out to?” “Manny,” I replied as I spelled out my name, “M-A-N-N-Y”. He inscribed only five words: “Manny, Best Wishes. Robert Dallek.” I thanked him and made my way back to Smith Hall.

Jennifer had already arrived by this point and felt that I could take the picture with Dr. Dallek using her camera after the conclusion of the forum. As we waited for the forum to begin Jennifer and I soon were in deep conversation. She commented the glasses depicted on the JFK Poster looked similar to a movie poster promoting “The Way Way Back.” She even showed me the image on her phone. As we spoke, I saw the distinguished panelist making their way to the stage. I immediately recognized Andrew Young, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and friend of Dr. King. I had remembered seeing him in two other documentary films produced by the American Experience: “LBJ” and “Citizen King”. I had also hoped to get a photo op with him as well. He would be the third person that I would meet that knew Dr. King personally. Thomas J. Putnam, the Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, stepped onto the stage to introduce James Bennet, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic and Susan Bellows, series producer at American Experience, who shared a few words of welcome before the start of the program. It was followed by a trailer for the American Experience film "JFK extended preview", and then Linda Wertheimer led the discussion.

I am not able to recall all that was said during the discussion and I did not take notes. However, a video of the program is available on Youtube, simply titled "The Legacy of JFK" and is also on the C-Span website as well. Three film clips from the upcoming documentary were shown to us, never before seen by the public. Before the third clip was shown, Ms. Wertheimer asked Dr. Dallek if he had a plane to catch. He said that he did, but before he would go, he wanted to touch on Vietnam. As he did so, I asked Jennifer for her camera, and he waited for him to take his leave. Ms. Wertheimer introduced the final clip, depicting the Cuban Missile Crisis and then she said in reference to Dr. Dallek, “And Bob can quietly slip away. Thank you so much.” There came an applause as the lights were turned off. This was my signal to temporarily leave the room. Outside Smith Hall, Dr. Dallek was going to leave. Someone else stopped him and asked for an autograph, which Dallek obliged. There was a photographer named Stephen Baumbach, who had a professional camera with him. I motioned for him if he could take the picture of myself with Dr. Dallek. His reply was to motion with his camera, which indicated that he would take the picture with his own camera. I was satisfied because his picture would come out much better. My turn came and I asked Dr. Dallek if I could he a picture with him shaking hands. “Sure,” he said and I then took his hand and motioned for Mr. Baumbach to take the picture. When he did take the picture, I then thanked Dr. Dallek and then he went on his way, I presume to Washington D.C. I went over to Mr. Baumbach and then I said, “You have made my day. Thank you so much.” and then I returned to Smith Hall to enjoy the rest of the program.

When the program ended, I along with Jennifer made our way to the stage where Andrew Young was walking down the stairs from the podium. I went up to Ambassador Young and asked for a photo op, which he obliged. 

After that, I decided to have a picture taken next to the poster promoting the film. After this, we went to the library store and I bought another rectangular magnet of a red, white, and blue banner with the images of Kennedy and Johnson, with the heading: “Leadership for the 60s.” Jennifer commented that she hated Johnson. I replied that if were not for Johnson, we would not be able to enjoy the privileges that we had today and that he helped more poor people than anybody in history, and his legacy still touches the poor of today. Also, he did pass the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and did more for civil rights than any other president since Abraham Lincoln. Johnson may have been flawed and the prestige of his presidency may have been diminished by our involvement with Vietnam, but I thought that he had done much good for this country in his domestic policies and I, a minority, am reaping the blessings which had begun with the promises of the Great Society. Anyways, we soon left and while she drove me me to South Station, which was eight minutes away, took us much longer to get there and her GPS was not much help. Next time, I would print out directions so this would never happen again. We arrived just before the train's departure for Framingham and before I knew it, I was on my way home. I sat in one of the seats reading the second chapter of Dr. Dallek's book and reflecting on the day's events.

I am determined that in the following month that I will return to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of President Kennedy's death. I was also looking forward the seeing the documentary, which would be an addition to the sixteen critically acclaimed Presidential biographies produced by the American Experience. I kept thinking about John F. Kennedy's life, his struggles, his challenges, and his legacy, which I will touch upon in my next journal entry. For now, I will conclude this journal entry with a quote, and I suppose that you can expect that the quote will be from President Kennedy's own words. I thought about the quote from the ending scene from "Thirteen Days", in which an excerpt of an archived recording of the real JFK was used in which he gave in his Commencement Address at American University, June 10, 1963, “What kind of peace do we seek? I'm talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living. Not merely peace in our time but peace for all time. Our problems are manmade - therefore, they can be solved by man. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.

My Visit to the JFK Library - The March on Washington, 50 Years Later

Today happens to be the 67th Birthday of Bill Clinton, the forty-second President of the United States. I am glad that he is still around and thriving. I hope to meet him someday and have a photo with him. It would be nice if he could also sign my copy of his memoirs entitled My Life. Anyways, I have chosen this day to share another important memory of an event in my life that to me is of significant importance. As I said in another post, to everyone else who may be reading or were even at the event along with me, it may not seem all that important. Historically, it is not important, and it will not be written in the annals of history. However, this event was one that is deeply sketched into my memories. I am typing and posting this now as the memories are still fresh in my mind. I must warn you this is meticulously detailed and quite a lengthy read. I hope you'll enjoy reading it.

Yesterday, I traveled by train to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the nation's official memorial dedicated to the memory and legacy of the thirty-fifth president of the United States, located in Boston, Massachusetts. The purpose of the visit was to be a part (small part, only as an observer) of an afternoon conference focusing on the March on Washington, which occurred almost fifty years ago on August 28, 1963. As a person who enjoys reading and studying history, I had been looking forward to this for quite some time. I had registered for this event over the internet on the library's website several months before.

It was quite a small challenge just to get there. The night before I had a tough time sleeping for some unknown reason. In order to try to sleep, I watched a video called "John Lewis Marches On", which depicts Bill Moyers interviewing Congressman John Lewis, who would be the keynote speaker at the event I was looking forward to attending, about the March on Washington. I would tell you what the interview was about, but I will mention it in another paragraph since Congressman Lewis outlined what he said in the interview with Moyers, in the speech he was going to give the next day. I probably shouldn't have watched it because I still couldn't sleep as it held my interest. I finally fell asleep at about 4:30 in the morning, listening to a video of another forum that the JFK Library posted on YouTube.

Although I set my alarm for 7:00 in the morning, I woke up several minutes after 8:00 in the morning. I quickly got dressed in a black suit, white dress shirt, and a patriotic tie with depicting small portraits of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and John F. Kennedy on an American flag as I had done before a little more than four years ago for my meeting with Senator John Kerry, who had assumed the office of Secretary of State six months and eighteen days before. Before I went out the door, I only had a banana to eat and I checked to see if I was missing anything before I left the house. I had my wallet, my keys, and my cellphone with me. I also had a book-bag containing some Adventist Review magazines, black jeans, and sneakers. After making this confirmation, I locked the door behind me and walked to the train station. The journey from the place I was staying to the train station in Framingham took thirty-one minutes until my arrival as it was 1.6 miles. I walked as fast as I could so I would not be able to miss the train, which I thought was supposed to arrive at 9:15 in the morning.

I arrived just before 9:00 and I asked a person waiting there what time the train would be arriving. I want him to confirm that it was 9:15 so that I could feel relieved that I had arrived on time. He politely pointed me to a posted schedule, which showed that the arrival time was actually at 9:50. The day before I called my friend Jennifer, an old college friend who I recently got back in touch with, to schedule a time to meet in Boston. She looked online for the train schedule on my behalf and I thought she said 9:15 hence my early arrival. So instead of arriving on time, I had arrived thirty-five minutes early. With some time on my hands, I thought about buying something to eat. I looked inside my wallet and saw that there was only 60 dollars. I began to think. 20 dollars ($17.00 to be exact) would buy me a round trip, I wanted to help Jennifer with gas so I would offer twenty, so that left me with just twenty. I wanted to buy the book that Congressman Lewis had written and was being promoted entitled "March" and I didn't know how much that would cost me. Most newly released books today cost a little more than twenty dollars. Also, what if I needed a little more cash to eat lunch? I certainly wasn't going to ask Jennifer. For me, it was quite a dilemma.

I then thought to call my dad to ask him if he could take me to Boston. I called him a few times before he finally answered. I made my request to him and told me he couldn't, but he decided to meet me at the train station to give me forty dollars. I also asked him if he could bring some food. "I only have fruits," he said. "That's fine," I replied, "I'll take anything at this point." He arrived at around 9:45 and to my surprise, instead of giving me forty dollars, he gave me sixty. This totaled to one hundred and twenty dollars and I was extremly grateful. He also handed me a grocery bag containing two bananas, an apple, two slices of bread, and two slices of vegetarian cheese. We chatted for a bit and then we parted ways since he mentioned that he had a busy day ahead of him. After he left, I had my breakfast, minus the apple that I decided to save for another day.

The train had arrived just in time, and I quickly went on board. I paid my fare as I sat quietly in my seat. The journey itself would take about 40 minutes so to pass the time, I read some articles from the Adventist Review magazines already in my bag. The 40 minutes came and went, and the train finally arrived at South Station in Boston. Upon arrival, I immediately went to take the commuter rail on the Red Line, inbound for JFK/UMass. I had a little trouble trying to make sense of paying the $2.50 fare since they were now using machines. I had not traveled alone to the JFK library or anywhere in Boston by train for that matter since 2003 so this was quite new to me. After the quick and small hurtle, I went to the Red Line and waited for about eleven minutes for the train to arrive. I chatted with a gentleman, also waiting there, who worked for the airlines and was returning home from his shift.

The train soon arrived, and I soon found my myself at the Red Line JFK/UMass station. The shuttle bus was already waiting for passengers to get on board and quickly ran so I wouldn't miss the bus. Of course, it wouldn't leave for several minutes, but I didn't know that. Actually, the shuttle runs every 20 minutes. Anyways, as I ran, a woman whom I passed also started running. Perhaps she thought she would be late also.  I went on board the bus and I quickly noticed a gentleman dressed casually reading a paperback copy of "The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914" written by one of my favorite authors: David McCullough. The journey to the library was reasonably short, but it seemed like an eternity to me. I just couldn't wait to get there. The bus had arrived at 11:30 and I entered into the library to get in line and confirm my registration. I knew that I wouldn't have time to visit the museum that day, but I hope to do so some time next week (hopefully on August 28, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, assuming I have the day off from work).

I soon called Jennifer and told her I had arrived at the library. She mentioned that she would be there at about 12:15 in the afternoon. I went into a part of the building named after Stephen Edward Smith, who was the husband of Jean Ann Kennedy and brother-in-law of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward M. Kennedy, who said at the Dedication of the Stephen E. Smith Center at the library on "It is particularly appropriate that we dedicate this beautiful new building to Steve Smith. For thirty years, he was the cornerstone of the Kennedy family – the cornerstone of our campaigns, the cornerstone of our lives in so many other ways." I went to the auditorium where the forum was to be held. I dropped off my bookbag at a seat to save it and as I was going to the library store, I saw a lady using her walker, wearing a pin that said, "I march for jobs and freedom". I knew then that she had been a particpant of the March. I then said to her as I extended my hand to her, "I'm glad to meet someone who was actually there." "Yes," she then said something like, "I'm actually trying to locate people from Mass who went there." She then pointed to two gentlemen behind me. "I'm going to ask them," she said and then she inquired, "Were you there too?" I couldn't believe that she had asked that. I wasn't offended, but I wondered if I really looked that old. I chuckled and replied, "No, I was born in the eighties." Then we parted ways and walked to the store.

On my way to the library store, I noticed a display case just outside the auditorium and looked at some of the artifacts encased behind the glass. Among the artifacts, I noticed a handwritten note card written in red ink, in which President Kennedy wrote those notes phonetically to help him pronounce the foreign words, which became the most memorable phrases from his speech at the Rudolph Waltz Platz in Berlin: "I am a citizen of Berlin", "I am a citizen of Rome", "Let them come to Berlin." I could imagine President Kennedy reading the speech on that day of June 26, 1963, "Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free...All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words..." and then he would look at his handwritten note card and say, "'Ich bin ein Berliner.'" It gave me chills just to see that this note card was used to assist him in encouraging the people of Germany.

I went to the library store to browse through the items being sold there. The store was a lot smaller than I remembered it would be. I purchased a small JFK campaign button for seventy-five cents. After the purchase, I went to the lobby to wait for Jennifer. I made conversation with a woman sitting at a table representing C-SPAN. C-SPAN would be broadcasting the program live on C-SPAN 3. I asked the lady if she knew Brian Lamb, the founder, executive chairman, and now retired CEO of C-SPAN. She said that she did and that he treats everyone like he would a president. They were giving some free materials, so I happily took a black tote bag inscribed: "AH American History TV C-SPAN 3", two rulers that depicted a promotion for C-SPAN First Ladies: Influence & Image program, two bookmarks, and a few pens. As I signed up for e-mail updates, I mentioned that although I was young for my age, I enjoyed watching programs on C-SPAN. She replied that I would be surprised as to how many young people did the same.

As I was also making conversation with two ladies that visited from Canada, I saw Jennifer's purple car approaching the building. I excused myself and quickly made my way outside. I called her cellphone and when she picked up; I told her I was right behind her. She went around again and told me to get in the car. She gave me a quick tutorial on how to use the camera and then dropped me off again at the library. I need to mention that I am deeply indebted to Jennifer for allowing me to use her camera since I don't have one. Without her and her generosity, I would not be able to capture the moments I was able to cherish and share with people on facebook. Indeed because of her, I will share these images if I ever make a presentation on civil rights in a classroom if I ever get back to school. I can only hope that one day it will become a reality.

I entered the building again and went to the auditorium where the forum would be held. There were Civil Rights songs playing to set the mood. At 12:30 p.m., Thomas J. Putnam, the Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, stepped onto the stage to introduce the 1964 documentary entitled The March, directed by James Blue for the United States Information Agency (USIA). On the screen, I saw black and white footage of A. Philip Randolph giving a statement at what might have been a press conference. "Negros want the same things that whites citizens possess. All of their rights. They want no reservations. They want complete equality - social, economic, and political," he declared in his baritone voice, "and no force under the sun can stem and block and stop this civil rights revolution now underway." Next, I saw students sitting together, clapping and singing "Keep your eyes on the prize. Hold on, Hold on!" Many of them were about my age or perhaps younger. The narrator spoke about how people of different diversities came from all over the nation just to attend the March on Washington. There was footage of people making lunches for the March, which volunteers worked for over two days and nights.

Then, it showed a diverse crowd singing "We Shall Overcome" as people were moving boxes. People were given pins that said, "I march for jobs and freedom" and that everyone who was going to march wore one. I remember watching footage of people praying in a church, people seated in buses traveling to Washington D.C., a person testing the microphone: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5. This is an audio test." On the night before the march, few people arrived. The leaders thought they had failed. All they had to do was wait for the next day. I saw footage of people arriving by train, dressed as though going to church. Some of them were singing "We shall not be moved." There was footage of Joan Baez on the National Mall singing "We Shall Overcome", Odetta singing "I'm on way." An announcer then declares a march to the Lincoln Memorial. There were people from all walks of life walking and singing together in harmony. It made me wonder what it would have been like to have been there and to experience that atmosphere.
At the Lincoln Memorial, everyone at the March is assembled. Marian Anderson, an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century, is introduced and then sings, "He's got the whole worlds in His hands." Then footage of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the podium appeared on the screen. It showed a small portion of the speech that would soon be seized into history. "I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. . ... This is our hope. This is the faith that I will go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope." 

It had a powerful impact on those who were in the room with me. When that portion of the speech was over, everyone in the room applauded. I was choked up and held back tears. I still wonder why I felt that way since I did not live through that time. I never experienced racism firsthand, but yet the speech was so moving that I almost cried. The film then showed the crowd, linking arm in arm, singing "We Shall Overcome". Then A. Philip Randolph appeared on the screen once more, declaring, "I think history was written today which will have its effect on coming generations, with respect to our democracy, with respect to our ideals, with respect to the great struggle of man, God, freedom, and human dignity." Then the film concludes with footage of people sleeping on a bus, which I presume were on their way back to their homes to continue the struggle, as the narrator speaks: "There were many who praised this day and said that there had been a new awakening in the conscience of the nation. Others called it a national disgrace. In the wake of this day, more violence was to come, more hatred, but in the long history of man's cruelty to man, this was a day of hope." A crowd sings, "Freedom" as it fades to black.

As the film ended and as the audience was clapping, I noticed Congressman Lewis entering the room and taking his seat. At 1:00, Mr. Putnam went on the stage to introduce Benjamin Swan, the State Representative from Springfield, MA for almost twenty years and a long-time member of the NAACP. I shook his hand when I was in line to confirm registration. He actually attended the March at the age of 30. After giving some brief remarks, an excerpt from a film called "Eye on the Sixties: The Iconic Photography of Rowland Scherman", directed by Chris Szwedo was shown. Scherman had actually covered the March as the primary photographer for USIA. At 1:30, the people participating in the panel discussion were introduced and made their way to the stage. They were historians Clayborne Carson (professor of history at Stanford University and director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute) and Peniel E. Joseph (Professor of History at Tufts University, Author, and founder of a growing subfield in American History and Africana Studies that he has characterized as "Black Power Studies"), Elaine Jones (prominent civil rights leader, attorney, and activist. She joined the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) in 1970 and in 1993 became the organization's first female director-counsel and president), Harris Wofford (special assistant to President Kennedy from 1960 to 1962 and then Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995), and veteran journalist Callie Crossley (a host of several programs on PBS) would be leading the panel discussion.

I can't tell you all that was spoken in the panel because I cannot recall their words. The entire discussion lasted for about an hour and a half. I have searched for the footage of the discussion online but have not found it yet. As they were going into the question-and-answer session, I decided to go and use the bathroom, thinking that in the future I would watch the entire discussion online. After washing my hands, I noticed that I had a five o'clock shadow. I had brought my shaving razor, hoping to shave earlier. As I finished shaving using only to rinse my face, I had cut too deeply in some areas on my face, particularly my neck and chin. As the red blood spots continued to appear and bleed, I thought I might go to the head of security and ask him if he had some rubbing alcohol for me to use. They patiently obliged and sent a vehicle over to give just to give me a band aid and two small packets of P.A.W.S. (Personal Antimicrobial Wipe by Safetec). I'm very grateful to them for the time they took just to help me. As I waited for them, a lady came up to me asking questions about the library thinking that I worked there and I answered all her questions as though I was an expert. When they brought me the band-aid and wipes, I thanked them and returned to the bathroom. I applied the wipes and it helped somewhat. Eventually, my face stopped bleeding just before the discussion ended.

At 3:00 a fifteen minute break was in effect. I took this opportunity to take pictures with the people on the panel. As I made my way to the stage, I noticed a gentleman in the audience I had seen on television. He was not a part of the panel, but I decided to have a picture taken with him. His name was Paul Begala. For those who don't know, he is an American political consultant, Democratic strategist who serves as a political commentator, and was an adviser to President Bill Clinton. He also appears frequently on CNN. I asked him if I could have a picture with him and graciously accepted. I think it was his son who took the picture. After the photo op, he then said, "I love your tie." To be honest, I didn't know whether it was Paul Begala or Jon Meacham since to me they look similar. I dared not ask him, but after doing some research I discovered that when Mr. Wofford ran for the senate in 1991, his campaign was run by Paul Begala and James Carville so I concluded that it must be Mr. Begala. Anyways, I then made my way to Harris Wofford (age 87). I asked a gentleman who came with his son to take the picture and then I asked Mr. Wofford who also graciously accepted. Then went to have a picture with Callie Crossley. A companion of hers took the photo of us shaking hands. I tried to take one with Clayborne Carson, but he was distracted by other people and by that time, the fifteen minute break was over. It would also be the last time I would be able to use Jennifer's camera.

At 3:15, Massachusetts State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry went to podium to introduce Congressman John Lewis. She called the moment standing in the presence of greatness. She outlined the history of his life, highlighting important historic events that he participated in and accomplishments that he achieved. At 3:30, as the 73 year old pioneer stepped forward to speak, everyone in the room rose from their seats to applaud him, including myself. How could I not? I read about him on Wikipedia and saw interviews of him in which he shared his stories. This was a hero to many people and he had suffered physically for the movement. In fact, he and Pastor Hosea Williams were leading a march in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965. That day, in which is now remembered as Bloody Sunday, the state troopers began shoving and knocking the demonstrators to the ground and beat them with nightsticks, including Lewis, who had his skull fractured. President Clinton said of him in his memoirs, "On August 28, the thirty-fifth anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous 'I have a dream' speech, I went to commemorative service at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, which had been a vacation mecca for African-Americans for more than a century. I shared a platform with Congressman John Lewis, who worked with Dr. King and was one of the most powerful moral forces in American politics. He and I had been friends for a long time, going back well before 1992. He was one of my earliest supporters and had every right to condemn me. Instead, when he rose to speak, John said that I was his friend and brother, that he had stood with me when I was up and would not leave me when I was down, that I had been a good president, and that if it were up to him, I would continue to be. John Lewis will never know how much he lifted my spirits that day" (Page 805-806).

After everyone had quieted down, his voice boomed into the microphone. It was like being at church and watching a really good and uplifting sermon. I almost said amen out loud when he talked about points in which I agreed. He spoke about the preparation for the March in 1963. He had recently been named chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and his first responsibility was to travel to Washington as one of the "Big Six", with leaders, which included A. Phillip Randolph (leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and also advised Presidents Roosevelt and Truman on issuing executive orders regarding racial discrimination), Whitney Young (leader of the National Urban League), Roy Wilkins (executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or NAACP), James Farmer (founder the Congress of Racial Equality or CORE), and Martin Luther King, Jr. (the chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference or SCLC, a Southern Baptist minister, and the most famous leader of the Civil Rights Movement) to meet with President John F. Kennedy to discuss the planning of the upcoming March on Washington in June of 1963.

He then spoke of the meeting with President Kennedy in the Oval Office of the White House and they told him that they were going to march on Washington. The president did not like the idea of hundreds and thousands of people coming to Washington. Kennedy then turned to Mr. Randolph, who was their spokesperson and said, "If you bring these, all these people to Washington, won't there be violence and chaos and disorder? And we will never get a civil rights bill through the Congress." He said that Randolph responded and in his baritone voice, which Lewis attempted to mimic, "Mr. President, this will be an orderly, peaceful, nonviolent protest." Then they left that meeting, came out on the lawn of the White House, and informed the press that they had a meaningful and productive meeting with the President of the United States.

He went on to speak about the speech he made at the March. Some time before, they had a meeting concerning Lewis' speech and had a very tense discussion about what he was saying and not saying. There was concern about the end. They analyzed the said words and phrases. He remembers one line in which he said, "You tell us to wait. You tell us to be patient. We cannot wait. We cannot be patient. We want our freedom and we want it now." Bayard Rustin (master strategist and tireless activist) said to Lewis jokingly, "John, you can't say you cannot be patient. Catholic Church believes in being patient." But then, there were some people who said something like, "In the speech, you're saying revolution, black masses. What are you talking about?" Then Mr. Randolph came to Lewis' defense and said, "There's nothing wrong with the use of the word black masses. I use it in myself sometimes. There's nothing wrong with the use of the word revolution. I use it in myself." So it that part was kept in. It was near the end of the speech, in the original text, which said, "If we do not see meaningful progress here today, the day may come where we may not confine our marching on Washington, but we may be forced to march through the South the way Sherman did nonviolently." They said to Lewis, "Oh, no. You can't go there." And that phrase remained in the speech until they arrived at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Both Mr. Randolph and Dr. King then came to Lewis. Dr. King said to him, "John, this doesn't sound like you." Mr. Randolph said something like, "We come this far together, John. Let's stay together." He mentioned that he couldn't say no to A. Philip Randolph or Martin Luther King, Jr. so he agreed to some changes. He took out the words criticizing the President's bill as being too little and too late. He took out the call to march through the Heart of Dixie the way Sherman did. He took out the question asking which side is the federal government on. He took out the reference to some political leaders as "cheap," because he wanted to honor A. Philip Randolph and Martin Luther King. The speech he made would soon thrust him onto the national spotlight.

Then he spoke on when Martin Luther King Jr. stood up and started speaking and when Dr. King got to the point where he said, "I have a dream today, a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream," He looked at Dr. King, and although he had heard him speak so many times before, Lewis knew then that King was getting over to the American people, and that King was preaching a great sermon. King was trying to convey that were as one family living in the American house and that there was room for everyone from all walks of life. In a good sense, King took advantage of the situation. This was the largest audience he ever had. King had been to Washington before and had spoken in the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on May 17, 1957. But this time, the audience was different and larger. Lewis believes that King was inspired by God and that King had been tracked down by what he called the spirit of history.

After the march was all over, the leaders went to meet with President Kennedy at the White House again since the president had invited them to meet with him. He stood in the door of the oval office and greeted each one of the speakers and said, "You did a good job, you did a good job." When he greeted Dr. King, the president said to him, "And you had a dream." Lewis said that to be in the presence of Kennedy that you knew you felt you were standing in the present of history. As he spoke of these events, I felt as though I was a witness to that immortal day. I could almost see Kennedy at the entry into the oval office, smiling as he looked at King, shaking his hand, saying, "And you had a dream" History came alive for me that day. Its one thing when you read about these events in a book and believe me I own many biographies on different presidents and I'm an avid reader, but to hear it from someone who was actually in the presence of Kennedy and King was a rare privilege.

I can't seem to remember anything else that Congressman Lewis said except that he mentioned that the election of President Barack Obama was not the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream, but that it was a down payment. He spoke for about twenty minutes, although to me it seemed like less. When he finished speaking, all of us in the room rose from our seats to applaud him. Then Callie Crossley went on the stage and they both sat down for a conversation. It seemed more like her interviewing him, but I was fine with that. They took written questions from the audience. She asked him what he would suggest to motivate young people. He said that young people ought to get into "good trouble, necessary trouble" like the way Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King inspired him to. He also mentioned that we ought to watch a fourteen-hour documentary PBS series called Eyes on the Prize. After the conversation was over, a small singing group of students from Harvard University sang two songs. Then there was a group of children and one adult in a choir from the Boston Renaissance Charter School called "The Voices of the Renaissance", which also sang two songs. The songs were wonderful and the music was fitting to the occasion because music played an important role to the Civil Rights Movement.

At about 4:30, there was a book signing in which Congressman Lewis would also be signing copies of his newest book - a graphic novel entitled March (Book One) which is the first volume in a new trilogy of graphic memoirs. I went to the store where they unfortunately ran out of copies. I felt disappointed, but I thought that at least I would get a picture with him. As I approached the line, I met a professor whose name I sadly cannot recall. He teaches public speaking and other courses as well. If he's reading this I hope he'll contact me. Anyways, as we approached the front of the line, we agreed to take each other's picture with Mr. Lewis. We were excited until we were told that unless we had a copy of the book, we had to wait until all the books were signed in order to speak to the congressman. As I waited, I saw a lady carry a copy of Profiles In Courage Historic Hardcover by John F. Kennedy (with 1964 cover design, 226 pages, foreward by Robert F. Kennedy, and introduction by Caroline Kennedy) so it could be signed by Congressman Lewis (By the way, in Caroline Kennedy's introduction in the book, she mentions John Lewis by name when he accepted Profile in Courage Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2001). I quickly sped to the library store and bought the same Hardcover copy of Profiles In Courage for $22.00. After the purchase, I hurried went back to the table where Lewis was still seated. He signed my copy of Profiles In Courage.

I was saddened to find out that there were no pictures allowed to be taken with or of him. This made me really upset. I could deal with not being able to acquire a copy of the graphic novel, but not to picture with him when Dr. Peniel Joseph was able to and he posted it online. Wasn't there a panel discussion about the evils of discrimination? He took time for a renowned historian, but not for a Puerto-Rican busboy earning minimum wage? I traveled and saved money for this trip just for that moment, just for this once and a lifetime opportunity, which I may never have again to meet someone who was an inspiration to others and to me and now, I was being denied that privilege. To me that was not fair. I could understand if he was leaving to go somewhere else and that he may have been in a hurry to go somewhere, but he couldn't take five seconds of his time for one picture with someone who also admires what he stood for? Do I have to achieve some sort of celebrity status in order have a picture? It may not have mattered to him or to anyone else who had been there, but it meant the world to me. I went to a photographer who I asked to take a picture of me shaking hands with the congressman before he left. "I'll do what I can", he replied. I stood in front of the table, waiting to seize the opportunity and the chance.

However, one of the staff members (I know who this person's name is, but I will not mention it) deliberately stood in the way so I couldn't get the picture. I had never met or done anything wrong to this person. I'm at the library named after someone who supported civil rights, why am I being discriminated against? I apologize if this sounds as though I'm whining or acting like a spoiled child. I probably may not get invited to meet a person of renown because of this post. All I want is a picture to show others for the purpose of educating. I want to be able to say years from now that I met a person who experienced what generations to come may never have to experience. I met a person who was jailed for the color of his skin, marched for freedom, served his country, met presidents, given many honors and awards, and was rewarded for doing the right thing. I want to say to them, "I met someone who experienced something that you don't have experience and endured so you don't have to." Still, I remained determined to have the picture. I didn't want to make a scene or cause trouble. I just stood there patiently. Soon enough, the person moved away, and the opportunity had finally arrived. As Congressman Lewis stood, I shook his hand. I can't seem to recall what he said to me, but I smiled at him and the photographer took the pictures. It was about five seconds, but it seemed like time stood still in that moment.

Finally, I walked with the photographer to the lobby and his name I'll mention. The man's name is Ervin L. "Tootsie" Russell, a retired photographer. Here is his website: http://photosbytr.smugmug.com/ and He is now one of my heroes. He didn't have to take the picture. He didn't have to take the time to e-mail me the photos, but he took it upon himself to take three pictures of a nobody like me with someone I looked forward to meeting. He could have said, "Sorry, son, I can't help you," but he didn't. Instead, he chose to help me fulfil a dream and for that, I owe him my deepest gratitude. He asked if I was a member of any political party, I told him no. He asked if I was running for office, I told him no. I would not be using the photographs in order to get promoted, only for educating. Besides, I won't be pursuing a political career anymore. My personal involvement with politics is over. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to attend any events pertaining to history and politics, that doesn't mean I won't do any community outreach and try to uplift humanity, I just won't be pursuing public life as a politician.

I walked outside of the library and met up with Jennifer who was sitting near the dock overlooking the ocean. I joined her and spoke with her on the events that took place. I gave her a ruler depicting the first ladies and a bookmark. Then we walked to the Victura, Kennedy's 26-foot sailboat, on display on the grounds of the Library from May to October. "You've been here alot haven't you," she asked. "No," I replied, "I haven't been here since 2004." That was true. As much I love the JFK Library and Museum, I had gone only three times before. The first time I went there was at the age of 16 on July 4, 2003, when I took the train for the first time and then a few weeks later on July 28 after turning 17 only twelve days before. Then I went with a friend on July 4, 2004, just twelve days before my 18th birthday. I would have loved to have made an annual pilgrimage every year on the Fourth of July, but it was not to be since over the years I would be working at different jobs each year and other circumstances. Now as of August 18, 2013, I can say that there has been a total of four times.

Anyways, Jennifer and I talked about the lives of different presidents like FDR, JFK, and Clinton. Then she and I spoke about what we wanted out of life. She wants to be a full-time teacher and I commend her for that. I hope she succeeds. Now it had been more than nine hours since I had last eaten, and I suggested that we go out to go eat. After some searching, we went to eat at a D'angelo Sandwich Shop. We both ordered food and ate. Then she took me to Walgreen's and said she wanted to pick up something there. To my surprise, it was a cover because I discovered an old friend from college named Alex, now working as a manager. I had not seen him since December of 2008. Both he and I were heavily involved and deeply interested in politics on campus. During the primaries, he was an early supporter of Hillary Clinton, while I was an early supporter of Barack Obama. Now he and I were no longer involved in political affairs. How much we both had changed. He and I chatted for a while about what we were doing for our lives. Then I proposed that we all have a picture taken together. Jennifer took two pictures of me and Alex, then Alex asked another employee to take a picture of the three of us together again. I may have been bitter about not being allowed a picture with Congressman Lewis but taking the pictures of the three of us made up for it. It was like a mini college reunion.

With the pictures taken, it was time to leave. My train's departure from South Station would be at 8:30pm and it was getting close to 8:00pm. Before Alex and I parted ways, I suggested that he and I plan to meet up again at the JFK Library. He said sure. I hope to see him again as I know that life often times gets in the way. Jennifer then drove me to South Station, which was 16.1 miles and 21 minutes away. When we arrived around 8:15 pm, I offered to help pay for her gas, but she said no. "It wasn't far," she said since it only took her about thirty minutes to get to Boston. We said goodbye and I went inside the station. The last time I took the train alone; I got lost and went on the wrong train to Attleboro. I was determined that it would never happen again. I asked a lady waiting at the track if she was going to Framingham. When she said yes, I was relieved. The train arrived on schedule at Track 2 and I went on board inbound for Framingham. While sitting my seat, I tried to read my copy of Profiles In Courage, but I started to fall asleep. My lack of sleep (only four hours' worth) really started to catch up with me. By 9:30 pm, I was in Framingham and decided to go the place I was staying by walking up Waverly St, through Fountain Street, down Dudley Road and Wayte Avenue, and then finally arriving at my destination on Union Avenue. It took me 41 minutes and 2.1 miles. I should have gone another route, which would have taken me less time. Anyways, I arrived the place I stayed, changed, took a shower, checked my e-mails, and fell asleep. That was my day.

So, what can I say to conclude my story that I'm sharing here? What are my final thoughts on the events that took place yesterday? I know that I've said more than enough, and I don't think many people will actually take time to read this as lengthy as it is (eleven pages' worth). Does it really matter? I don't have a wide audience wanting to know my opinion on anything and I'm not a person of great influence. First, I'm grateful to have gone to the JFK Library, learned about a time in history that I now more fully appreciate, met with a few people who witnessed history firsthand, had a wonderful time getting reacquainted with friends I had not seen in years. As President Ronald Reagan said in his Final Address on January 11, 1989, "All in all, not bad, not bad at all." I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

There's something else I want to mention. I'm more grateful for the rights that I've been able to have thanks to people like Congressman John Lewis. He is a living witness, not just to history, but of personal perseverance for a cause that was for a time seemed unpopular and for a goal that seem unattainable. I should be more grateful for the rights I have today cause because of people like John Lewis, Martin Luther King, and so many others involved with the Civil Rights Movement. They went through so much just so that the next generation can be in a better world than what they had. Here in this country, I am judged by what I do, not by who my parents were or where they were born. Here, I can be something despite the color of my skin. I know that my parents were born in Puerto Rico, my mother is light-skinned, and my father is dark-skinned. I'm a minority, but I was born here in this country almost twenty-three years after the March on Washington. Fifty years ago, the idea of me sitting next a person of a different color was considered unacceptable. Now, I'm able to communicate, laugh with, and love people of different color. I am indebted to all those who marched, were beaten, bled, and died. I am a product of their bravery, work, and vision. Today, I can drink from the same fountain as another person. Today, I can vote. Today, I also am able to sit at the front of the bus.  While it is true that we have come far, but there is always room for improvement. Dr. King's dream is not yet fulfilled, but we can learn to apply his message of non-violence and love. We can start within our communities by helping our neighbors. After all, we are our brothers' and our sisters' keepers. We are all a part of one family in the American House.

I usually like to conclude a journal entry with a quote, and I thought of using an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have A Dream" speech. However, I have already used some portions of his discourse in one of the paragraphs above. Instead, I would like to end this post with a small excerpt from President John F. Kennedy's Civil Rights Address, which he delivered to the nation on June 11, 1963: "This is one country. It has become one country because all of us and all the people who came here had an equal chance to develop their talents. We cannot say to ten percent of the population that you can't have that right; that your children cannot have the chance to develop whatever talents they have; that the only way that they are going to get their rights is to go in the street and demonstrate. I think we owe them, and we owe ourselves a better country than that."