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Health & Fitness

Boomer Recalls The Day JFK Was Shot

With the 50th Anniversary of one of the darkest days in U.S. history upon us, I recall where I was on the day that President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas.

As many young Waltham teens did, I was learning how to swim at the Waltham Boys and Girls Club. I was in the pool and while swimming, we all heard the loud, shrilling sound of the swim instructor's whistle. We all stopped swimming to hear what he had to say, thinking that it was odd since the swim session was going well.

As we stood there in the water, he told us "President Kennedy has been shot, he's still alive. I want you all to get out of the pool, go home, turn on your televisions, and pray".

We all did as instructed, and I recall that the walk from the B & G Club to our home on Taylor Street was like the world had ended. Complete silence on the streets. Hardly a car or a truck traveling on Main and Moody Streets. No people, no sounds. Everyone was glued to the television for updates on the condition of our President.

Shortly after I arrived home, as I was watching with my mother and siblings, the announcement came through the voice of Walter Cronkite that President Kennedy had died. The official time of death was 2:00pm EST.

That day will forever remain vivid in my mind as it will remain in the minds of just about everyone who lived through that time in history.

So the question for my readers is where were you on that day and how did the death of President Kennedy affect your life? Share your memories with us.



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