Nov. 22, 1963, is a significant date in U.S. history. I will never forget that day, 50 years ago, when I was sitting in the band room at Hillsboro High School and my dad came in and announced that President John F. Kennedy had been shot in Dallas and did not survive.
It didn?t seem possible that it could happen and that someone could even do such a heinous act.
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We watched a CNN special about the assassination of President Kennedy the other night. I had almost forgotten that I saw Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald on live TV as Oswald was being moved to the county jail.
There was no scanning equipment in those days to search for weapons. The Dallas police chief even said prior to moving Oswald that they were taking extra precautions, but he didn?t believe anyone would try anything.
It is ironic in a way that both the president and his alleged shooter at the time both died in the same hospital.
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I was riveted by the events of those days and created a huge scrapbook detailing what had happened. Life Magazine and the newspapers of the day were my friends. I believe the scrapbook was a government class project and for some reason I have lost track of it. I wish I still had it.
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At the time, I bought into the conspiracy theories and to this day I do not know for sure if the Warren Com?mission was trying to cover up something.
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The following spring our HHS senior class took its senior trip to Dallas.
A few of my classmates and I went out one night to see a movie. After the movie we took a cab and asked where we should go. The cabbie took us to Jack Ruby?s night club. None of us were close to 21 at the time, so how we got in was a miracle. Since Ruby was notorious, it was fascinating to gain entrance into his night club.
It didn?t take long before they found out we were underage, and we were quickly escorted out to the alley through the kitchen. Nonetheless, we could say we had been there.
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Google search by voice is simply crazy. I am blown away by it.
I said, ?Show me tomotoes,? and I got a screen full of tomatoes.
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We were adding up all of the bills we had paid since we moved. I was told I should put a big bow around my new shop because it is my Christmas present from now until I die.
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I might add, it is the best Christmas present I ever received, next to the jigsaw I got when I was 5.
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My high school class is having its 50th reunion this next year. I am looking forward to seeing everyone who comes.
If you wish to share your comments or ideas, my e-mail address is joel@
hillsborofreepress.com.
