’m not a good TV surfer. I rarely find anything I really want to watch. Yet one night, I happened upon a movie which had my immediate attention. Starring Rob Lowe as President John F. Kennedy and Ginnifer Goodwin the former first lady endearingly known as Jackie, “Killing Kennedy” featured a combination of actual early 1960s news films and fresh movie footage, all spliced together to tell a story- a story which changed history and brought America to tears.

 

The 2013 docudrama was about half way through when I stumbled upon it. Young Lee Harvey Oswald was preparing to execute his assassination plan. I was intrigued by his young age – just 24 years old at the time – and the beauty and Russian dialect of his young wife Marina. During scenes which

 featured their home and others, I was reminded of the sleek styles of the era and practically clutter-free existence. It seems 50 years ago, most people didn’t care so much for acquiring “stuff.” But the years have brought about another change – one of much more magnitude.

 

Back to the movie …

 

After President and Mrs. Kennedy dressed for the occasion, they were whisked from DC to Dallas for the fateful Nov. 24, 1963 parade. Watching the reel-to-reel news footage of the couple – he in his gray wool suit and she in that classic pink ensemble with gray trim and pillbox-style hat - it was evident how much the public adored them. It was common knowledgeat  the time that they had their marital issues, yet they were respected and loved as the leader of our free country and his frontline supporter and life partner.

 

As the nation’s first couple rode in the motorcade through the streets of Dallas, I got a knot in my stomach. I knew what was going to happen. Only a preschooler at the time of the actual assassination, I remember the devastation my parents, grandparents and neighbors felt when that fatal shot was fired more than a half century ago. The chaos, the climbing of Jackie across the seat of the Presidential limo to comfort her husband; it all brought back memories of just how personal this all was – to everyone.

 

We don’t see that kind of loyalty to our leaders anymore. Perhaps coached by a plethora of negative campaign ads, our minds are focused on finding fault, not good. I’m not speaking of any particular president here, but in recent years, I cannot recall one- who if suddenly taken from us - would have inspired such an outpouring of sadness and empathy.

“Killing Kennedy” reminded watchers of some history, including the fact that Oswald’s own life was immediately taken by Jack Ruby. The movie inspired some family conversation about what happened to Ruby, who incidentally was sentenced to death for his actions, awarded an appeal and died before it came to fruition. The movie also sparked some family conversation about changes in styles through the decades; style not only with regard to fashion and home furnishings, but much more importantly personal protocol, connection and subsequent reaction when it comes to our leaders.

 

Editor’s Note: Tomorrow, Nov. 24, marks the 51^st anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I was curious to see what had happened to Marina Oswald, so I looked it up. She later married Kenneth Porter, who raised her and Oswald’s two daughters – Rachel and June – together. Porter lives in Rockwall, Texas, northeast of Dallas. In her first TV interview following the assassination, she thanked the America for its love and support. She said she had thought of going back to her homeland of Russia, but wanted to stay in the U.S.  She thereafter received a stream of cards and monetary donations. “American people have very big heart,” she said.

 

Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter. More It's Happening HERE.