The students who attended my elementary school loved Sam, the school’s custodian, and he loved us. He was a pleasant person, who frequently smiled and appeared happy.
On one particular Friday afternoon, however, Sam looked like something bothered him. I was in the school library with my sixth-grade class. Sam walked over to my teacher who stood next to the table where I sat.
I heard Sam ask my teacher, “Did you hear what happened?”
It has been said that most Americans heard about President John F. Kennedy’s assassination within two hours after it occurred. Sam might have been the first person in our school to learn about this tragic event.
Kennedy’s sudden and violent death shocked the nation, especially the children. For many of us, the painful thought of his death lasted for several months.
Because Kennedy’s funeral and Thanksgiving break came on the same week, we had the entire week off from school. My mother and I watched the funeral on television in our front room. For the first time in my life, I saw her break down and cry.
When we returned to school, every safety patroller, including me, gathered around the flag pole to watch the captain raise the American flag to half-mast, which was the first time I saw the flag flying at that position.
Although I was born before Kennedy became president, he was the first president I remember. I probably regarded him as a hero after I saw “PT 109,” a movie based on his experiences as a World War II patrol-torpedo boat captain.
Our nation’s 35th president was young, energetic, and athletic. He warned that America’s youth were becoming flabby and lazy. He wanted us to get into top physical condition.
My mother agreed with the president. At night, before I went to bed, she made sure I did push-ups and sit-ups.
These exercises paid off. When my eighth-grade physical education class was tested for physical fitness, I did 45 push-ups. Even today, before I go to work, I still do push-ups.
Besides his presidency, Kennedy served as congressman and U.S. senator. He devoted his life to serving his country. He urged Americans to do the same, whether in government, the armed forces, the Peace Corps, or volunteer work.
In his 1961 inaugural address, Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
The desire to serve our nation still burns in the hearts of my generation, thanks to Kennedy’s inspiration.
Stephen Casai, known as “Saga Steve,” serves as customer service representative in the Knorr Family Dining Room.
