JFK: 50 Years Later

I was never the top student in history class. I always seemed to have trouble remembering what battle it was when that one group shot at the other. Then, retreaded but ended up coming back to be the victor. (Confused? Me too.) But I do enjoy it, I love hearing the stories.

Today, I got to hear first hand accounts from people when they heard John F. Kennedy was shot. It was amazing to hear those people speak. Still, 50 years later, there was so much rawness, so much emotion to their words. One man spoke about how he felt he lost his innocence that day. Another, talked about how he felt the assassination made him more patriotic.

Having these conversations reminded me, as much as I love telling stories, I like to think someone telling their own is even more powerful. It's coming straight from the source. No filter. There is no reporter, no video. Just a person, talking. It's the most vulnerable situation for a person, but that's what makes it more meaningful I think.

I am always humbled when I get to experience these moments. Moments where someone trusts me enough to tell me some of their deepest thoughts. And though I didn't get to share all those thoughts with the public, (because they don't fit into the two minute time slot my producer gives me) I still get chills thinking about them. A gift I will always be graciously to receive.

#jfk #johnfkennedy