Where were you when President Kennedy was killed?

CW3 Chuck Huddleston — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 09:38:54 -0500

President Kennedy was killed at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (18:30 UTC) on Friday, November 22, 1963. I was a student at the Air Defense Center, Fort Bliss Texas, enrolled in an electronics course in Building 2. Someone interrupted our class with the announcement and we were all shocked and then mad! School continued after a short information gathering break. Sad day for us all.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 12:28 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 12:28:00 -0500

Good question, CW3 Chuck Huddleston. I was a youngster ... in my first grade classroom. I remember that day - not vividly, but I do remember it. There was hushed conversation and we were sent home early, where we learned that the President had been killed. That was probably the earliest memory that I retain to this day.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 6 at 2015 12:36 PM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 12:36:17 -0500

I was born in the summer of 1969, but I recognize the shock and awe over the perplexing event and subsequent theories.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Feb 6 at 2015 5:08 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 17:08:07 -0500

Home from school (Grade 11) with nasty fever, in Grand Junction, CO.

I had the short wave receiver on and was listening to a news broadcast, drifting in and out of rationality, and heard mention of "President Johnson". I thought "why would this broadcaster be airing a documentary on 19th-Century US history?"

Response by CW3 Chuck Huddleston made Feb 7 at 2015 3:59 PM

CW3 Chuck Huddleston — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:59:46 -0500

It was one of those tragic or pleasurable events that it seemed like time stood still, marking a spot in your memory. Sorta like when your first baby was born, your first car, 9/11, etc. I remember my parents and their friends talking about what they were doing when the attack on Pearl Harbor went down and when world war II was declared over. Could be a good or bad happening, the mind is a funny thing!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 7 at 2015 4:19 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 16:19:07 -0500

A couple decades from being born.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 7 at 2015 4:29 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 16:29:34 -0500

I was 5 months old. My dad was in the Air Force stationed at key west NAS which is where I was sprung on the world. My dad was "reading other peoples mail" down in Cuba for a while in the early 60s.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 7 at 2015 11:27 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 23:27:44 -0500

CW3 Chuck Huddleston, I was a ninth grade student in Jacksonville, FL. We were outside for a physical education class and we were all called in to the gymnasium and a teacher or the principal told us. Very sad day indeed.