Unfortunately, Dallas will forever be “marked” as the site of President John F Kennedy’s assassination. I wasn’t born when this took place, but over the years the story continues to be told in a variety of different ways. Most recently in the biographical film Jackie where we relive the experience via Jackie’s (JFK’s wife) point of view. Natalie Portman delivered an Oscar nominated best actress performance for her riviting portayal of the first lady. Jackie had moxy! But in watching the movies or old reel clips, its very difficult to get perspective…until you go there.
I don’t think I need to recap the detailed events that took place at this corner in Dallas that triangulates, the book depository, the grassy knoll and the street, but I will say, seeing it in person vs on television or in a movie, makes me join the ranks of the conspiracy theorists. When you see the window, the shot marks in the street, and the angles with your own eyes, it’s very difficult to conclude a single shooter from the window. It’s a disturbing and somber site to visit that makes one question the “under belly” of our government and wonder where the truth of this matter really resides. (featured image: the book depository from the grassy knoll, near the second shot location)
I was particularly moved by a quote that is posted at JFK’s memorial on the grassy knoll. It’s the closing section of a speech he was to make later that day. Oh, that we’d see such elegance in that office today:
“We, in this country, in this generation, are — by destiny rather than by choice — the watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of “peace on earth, good will toward men.” That must always be our goal, and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength. For as was written long ago: “except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain.”