'Where were you, when … ?'

Most of us, of the Boomer era, can remember exactly where we were when we heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot.

I had the chance to revisit many of the feelings and of that tragic weekend, during the last couple of weeks. The 50th anniversary shows were quite restrained. (Photo: The Guardian)
Here are some of the thoughts and images that went through my mind all over again:
-- The entire world, especially America, descended into a depressed state: reactions on the streets ranged from outright weeping, to quiet introspection.
-- Did Oswald act alone?
Conspiracy theories still abound (available on any overnight radio talk show!): Cuban Premier Fidel Castro, the F.B.I., the 'Mob', to list a few.
-- Of course, the basic, and still unanswered question, after 50 years: WHY?
We all learned what a 'grassy knoll' was, a small hill from where an alleged second shooter had fired the (yet unproven) 4th shot.
-- Oswald's killing two days later, by Jack Ruby, on live TV.
On Funeral day:
-- Son John-John's salute.
-- A long Requiem Mass, with glorious choirs, and the nasal / drone of Boston's Cardinal Cushing.
-- Watching French President General de Gaulle, and Ethopian Emperor Haile Selassie lead the large group of diplomatic mourners.
--The incessant, stacato, drum beat, and the strident rider-less horse, during the long funeral march to Arlington National Cemetery.
-- The first glimpse of the eternal flame, at the actual crypt.
(An interesting aside: At the burial site, the 'pool' TV signal (every station used the same video) was set up, literally, at the last minute. The remote crew had just arrived, having leapfrogged ahead, from their first pickup point along the parade route, earlier in the broadcast.
A technician later reported that, 'We didn't have much time: so we just aimed the (microwave) dish in the general direction of the tower in Washington,' and sent the audio and video. To their relief, the received signals proved to be strong ... on the first try!
We often forget the hundreds of technical crews who work so hard to cover historical events. On that day, they were 'making it up as they went along'; it had never been done before, on such a large scale.)
We watched this event unfold all day long, in the Frosh residence TV lounge at St. F.X. (Some of our classmates were American.)
Students would watch for a while, go off to classes / labs / meetings / meals, and return to 'pick up' the story.
During the entire time, there was a total, respectful, silence, with no talking, whatsoever.
-- Oh yes, in answer to my question, Dear Reader: I got off the bus (at about 3:40 p.m.) to spend the weekend at home; before I could reach the doorstep, my Mom opened the front door and announced, 'Did you hear? … Kennedy's been shot.'