Letters to Jackie (19 page)

THURSDAY NOV. 28, 1963

Dear Mrs. Kennedy:

Twenty-six years of:—escaping from Hitler—growing up in wartime China fleeing from Communism—watching my father’s futile struggle against cancer—seeing my roommate killed in an automobile accident—all these I deemed adequate preparation for some of life’s bitter moments.

Yet
NEVER
, until last Friday, have I felt such a desperate sense of loss and loneliness.

Yes—“A piece of each of us died at that moment.”

Yes—“I dare say we shall never see his like again.”

& Yes also—“When those who have never met us weep when we die we are truly loved.”

President Kennedy was, and always will be—loved—by people the world over.

So from one—a privileged foreigner—privileged to be given the opportunity to live in the midst of so much greatness.

In humility and gratitude to a beautiful man who irrevocably restored the world’s faith in the human race.

My Sincerest Sympathy—

Respectfully,
Gabriele Gidion.

12/2/63

DES PLAINES, ILL.

Dear Mrs. Kennedy:

It is now ten days since the tragedy which overcame you and all of us. It is fitting that I should write to you and tell you of our—my wife’s and my own—deep sorrow for you and your children. You have lost not only your husband, but we all have lost so very much. We are both immigrants to this great country, coming to Boston from Israel in 1947. We were both born in Germany and had to begin twice anew in our lives. We have 3 girls 5-8-10. I have been unable until now to really associate myself within myself to this new and different country, which is only natural I suppose. The reason is quite simple. I had never felt an overriding patriotic interest in our congressmen’s and senator’s actions, or our presidents for that matter. They all seemed more interested in potatos for Maine Oranges for Florida, cattle for Texas etc. Most of them stood for the status quo, for trading and give and take (I vote for your bill if you vote for mine). That is probably a very superficial impression, but that is all you can read if you are on the sidelines. All this changed when Mr. Kennedy was elected and started his high office. His dedication, his purpose, his vision, his leadership, his realisation that there is more to the President than just “to carry on”, was a source of inspiration to us. He had the courage to not only see beyond today, but to try to lead the way. His unfailing optimism that eventually people will follow him to a new frontier was electrifying. After having had leaders like Ben Gurion who had, I believe, many qualities similar to your husband, or Winston Churchill (I served in a jewish battalion in the british army for 6 years) who had no peer at all, I had felt let down here in all these years. This terrible tragedy suddenly made me to identify myself very closely with America the beautiful. We shed tears for days, and I visited a synagogue for the first time in many years to pray and think. Your husband will be missed by thousands of people for years to come because he gave them something
to think about, some path to follow, somewhere to go, even though they may not have been ready or willing at the time.—Last not least I cannot but say what a source of inspiration you must have been to him. Having been blessed with a wife who is everything a man can ask, I can so readily see what you must have meant to him. Your devotion to your husbands public image, your sense of history during these tragic days, your inner strength has the admiration of all of us who admired you both. I think you should, in memory to him, and as an example to us all, remain eventually in the public eye in whatever form suits you best. Let me thank you for having given us inspiration and hope that from time to time there will be great men in our midst.

Sincerely
Peter Brenner

J
ohn F. Kennedy was among the wealthiest Presidents in American history. He came of age during the 1930s when the United States was reeling from a decade-long economic downturn of catastrophic proportions with massive unemployment. He admitted to a journalist in 1960 that he had “no first-hand knowledge of the depression.” “My family,” he explained, “had one of the great fortunes of the world and it was worth more than ever then…I really did not learn about the depression until I read about it at Harvard.”

Despite his personal a?uence, elite education, and privileged social circle, Kennedy earned the affection of many Americans of modest and very little means who believed he cared about their economic prospects in American society. Early in his presidency, Kennedy advanced increases in the minimum wage, an expansion of Social Security benefits, and extension of unemployment benefits. His wider objectives—federal aid to education, support for expanded mental health facilities, an antipoverty program and health insurance for the elderly—never reached fruition in his lifetime, instead becoming landmark achievements of Lyndon Johnson’s presidency. But Kennedy’s insistence on the national scope of these problems, the responsibility of leadership from the federal government, and the moral obligations to redress the situations of those Ameri
cans most in need resonated with countless citizens. In the flood of condolence letters came many messages from men and women of few or modest resources as well as those with physical challenges who nonetheless believed that he was working for their best interests.

JAN. 19, 1964

BREAUX BRIDGE,

LOUISIANA

Dear Mrs Kennedy,

I’m writing a letter to tell you how sorry when we hear the die of Mr Kennedy.

Because it hard to hear someone is kill. It was very hard to hear kill.

Because we suffer just like it was our on brother. It very hard for you and your childrens, too.

Mrs. Kennedy I use to hear every time he was talk on the television, I use to lession every time. I wish I could have none how to write fass. So I could have write every word he talk about. But I can not write fass. Because I want only in the 4th Grade.

He had send a letter to mine daughter Betty Lou Albert She had the letter Saturday after he was kill. She did’nt answer the letter. She was so upset of the kill. She ask me to write to you Mrs. Kennedy. I hope you don’t mine.

Mrs. Kennedy we are country peoples. But we was so fine of our President. And all of you and childrens, too.

He want’nt every childrens to go to school any how they are poor.

We are poor but I want mine childrens to go to school.

Mrs. Kennedy all pray for is soul every day.

Well Mrs. Kennedy I will close mine letter. But not the love we had for your’ll.

May God blesses you and your childrems.

And lost of luck, too.

From
Mrs Clytus Albert & fly

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cohee to Mrs. John F. Kennedy, December 5, 1963, Adult Letters, box 12, folder 90, John F. Kennedy Library. Reprinted with permission of Shirley Epps.

MAR
. 4, 1964

Mrs Jackolyn Kenedy & children

Dearest ones

Just a line from me to you. Wondering how you and children are. Fine I hope. Mrs Kenedy God Bless you I want you to know that you have our deepest Sympthy You gave up the greatest man on earth and you were so Brave and taken Everything so wonderful Even to your Darling little children they were so brave I never can see how you could be so sweet about the whole thing I must say you taken it better than my family did I have been sick since the day it happened Dear you’ll never know how much and how often you and children are thot about. President Kenedy was loved by the world He was the Greatest Leader we ever had or ever will I will never for get when we heard what happened This was a very sad home and we miss seeing him and hearing him as yet very badly. I never felt so sick in all of my life as then and have been very ill since then in fact still in bed for the last 3 weeks. I must say again he was the greatest man on earth. I will never for get the night he was elected My husband & I sit up all night with him when the Battle was won I went to bed with all ease was so happy But just as sad as I were ever happy when the tragic came We never had the privlige of meeting him in person but he did seem so dear & near. It could have never hurt any worse if it would have been one of our immediatly family I’ve wanted to write you ever since it happened but I just couldn’t bring myself to it. Wish you didn’t live so far away I’d love have you and children come to visit us. My daughter is a Retarded child she is 21 Never been to school My Husband is in very poor health he haven’t very much left in Stomach he has had 5 operations will be 7 years in Oct since he has been able to go to work the dr. say he will never be able to work again he draws 40.00 a week worksman compensation which is a very low salary for 3 I work when I can in summer in canning
factory am over weight and feel petty lousy most of the time we had a nice 90 acre fruit farm until sickness hit my husband then we practically lost 60 acres and has had to mortage home quiet heavely seems as if it take every penny for taxes, interest, insurance. school taxes are so high still there is no school for my Daughter which makes me feel very blue sometimes My Daughter can not be left a lone She is a constant care we love her very dearly only wish I could do more for her. She is very sweet. I have to go to work when I can and sit and worry about her all day knowing I should be with her and my husband. Still its impossible I think from year to year things will be better but nothing in sight Well Dear you’ll never know how boaring it can be and I think I have my troubles but I look around there is always some one else I guess is worse. At least I have my husband and Daughter with me if it is a poor way to go some times. Don’t no how long I’ll have my husband Dr’s doesn’t give us much courage I told my husband I get so disgusted. Wish there could be a change as Day in Day out is some pretty long Lonesome days for Carolyn to have to be away from me. It is terrible and hurts to the bone that little Carolyn and John caint have their father and such a wonderful father May God Bless them and you always.

Respectfully yours
Mrs. Riley Woodwrick

Some day we hope to see President Kenedy Brother Pres. he looks so much like your husband. when younger. Pres Johnson has certainly done wonderful also was so nice to have some one who could take over.P.S. Oh! Say I for got to tell you my husband & I use to get such a Kick out of President Kenedy when the News Reporters used to suround him with questions all he had to do is just open his mouth the Answers just flowed out. he never had to study for a minute or any one else that had questions for him. I still say he was smartest man on earth and is greatest missed not only by a few but the whole world. Even to Carolyn Sue when he came on T.V. she would run out after us to hear him she has lots of his pictures she cuts them out of magazine she always Referred to him as the News. She still cries and talks about him Well Dear it is a long time to
wait to mail a letter and card but as soon as I could bring myself to it. May God be with you and children always.

If you should have a little time please let me hear from you some times

Earlene

JANUARY 16, 1964

MCCLELLANDTOWN, PA.

To Caroline and Little John,

May you always remember History will be filled with the goodness your daddy did. But the poverty stricken, poor people who survive can tell you better.

We all loved him.
Joyce Wise

DEC. 25. 1963
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
MRS JOHN F KENNEDY
WASHINGTON DC.

Dear Mrs Kennedy

You have never mett me, and probbely never will.

And as you are such a bussy women, I hope you will pardon my intrusion upon your time.

But as I was very fond of your husband (PRES Kenedy) and so I would like at least send my heart felt symithy to you and your children.

I know that there is no word or deed that can take away the sorrow you have in your heart.

I myself am just a nobody from nowhere,

But I do want you to know that we on the lower level,s are having our hearts bleed for you and the Nation.

When Pres Kenedy was here in Utah last and spoke in the L.D.S.
Tabernackle I was in the balconey and look right down on his notes I was so close to him and certainly enjoyed his talk.

I am an Engineer, Power House of the L.D.S. Hospital,

And I know that we all feel the same toward you and your family as I do.

Very Sincerly I remain your unseen friend.
Ernan H. Smith

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO

DEC. 3, 1963

Dear Mrs. Kennedy

You don’t no me. But I am one of you and your husband’s great admirers.

Mrs. Kennedy next to God the president was the best friend the poor class of negroes & the poor whites had. Because he opened up doors for us. Especialy though that are [not] to lazy to work. I suppose you wonder why I am writting this letter to you. Because I want you to no how my family & many others appreciated your wonderful husban.

When President Kennedy took his office. We lived in a shack. But I was proud of it because I couldnt do any better. I worked hard to try & keep it clean. My husban didnt have a job. He just work when could get it & had unemployment.

Then he got a better job. Last winter it was so cold in the house there was only one room in the 7 room house that was warm when we went up stairs to go to bed was just like going out doors in the cold. I said lord if I have to live like this another I dont want to live. I started to praying ask god for a better home. And to give my husban & I plenty of work & I our health & strenght to keep our work & a house after we get it. And with gods help & Mr. President we are in a better home a very nice home which I am so proud of.

I just thank god & Mr. Kennedy for opening doors for us.

My husband & I are not lazy. We have 10 children. One girl married one in the U S Navy she is

Miss Ruby J. Givens R.N.

U S N Hospital Staff

New Port, Rhode Island

I am so proud of her is in the Medical corp she is working in Physial Therapy she say’s there is nothing so great a feeling as giving a person the use of an arm, leg, hand that has lost the use of it she says it is wonderful.

We are not looking for a big Xmas. We are going try & get enough money to gather so we can have Ruby home for Xmas. Our new home & Ruby if there is more for us in store god touch some ones heart I have 5 boy & 5 girls a wonderful family.

I pray that every precious memories will all way be with you. And make you smile instead of cry for joy knowing you had a jewel for a husband.

Love You
Ruby Givens