48 Years Ago Today – Hometown View [VIDEO]

Today is further proof that has time goes on we do forget things that at one time were unforgettable. A glance in today’s Asbury Park Press and you will not find any mention that today is the 48th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a day that many consider the end of innocence in our country.

Obviously to the younger generation Kennedy is nothing more than a former president who died tragically and what they know about him is limited to what they might have learned in school. To those old enough to remember he is much more than that and regardless of how you might have felt politically he generated an interest and excitement in the White House that had not been seen before his election in 1960.

WHAT IF?

His assassination which is still debated today is one of the darkest days in our country’s history and what’s especially difficult is his death at age 46 left more questions unanswered than answered. Maybe the greatest is wondering how history would have changed had JFK gone on to be elected to a second term and then had brother Bobby follow in his footsteps. He tried but also had his life cut short by an assassin’s bullet, just another of many tragedies that would surround the Kennedy family. For years after President Kennedy’s death the anniversary would be marked with graveside ceremonies at Arlington, Virginia with his wife, children and many relatives. It would be front-page news and get plenty of TV coverage as well. Now most of them have died and quite possibly you would not have even realized the significance of today’s date if I didn’t mention it. That’s why I did.

THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL

Thanksgiving Day traditionally features high school football and between tomorrow night and Thursday there will many games at the shore including rivalries that have gone on for years like Toms River South versus Lakewood and Asbury Park playing Neptune. And while we should embrace tradition the real winners this Thanksgiving are athletes from Brick, Brick Memorial, Lacey and Southern. Those are schools that elected to discontinue playing on Thanksgiving and for all of them the season ended two weekends ago. That means those athletes who play a winter sport actually get a break between seasons which is the way it should be. Meanwhile for many young men they will be playing football on Thanksgiving Day and then on Monday be practicing basketball or wrestling.

I know we like our kids to be busy but resting your body for a couple of weeks if you can is a bigger plus then playing just because that’s the way it’s been for years.