I was carefully watching John F. Kennedy's inauguration on January 20, 1961, on television. Not only was this a very exciting and very new step in our country, but my brother was also there and I was hoping for a possible glimpse.
My brother, at the time, was a cadet at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was in the select group that was in Washington, D.C. this very cold day. He and his classmates marched past President Kennedy and extended a respectful salute. No, I did not glimpse my brother that day, but I knew he was there.
Fast forward two years and 5 months. I was a guest at the Air Force Academy Graduation on June 6, 1963. My brother was graduating as a Lieutenant in the Air Force and President John F. Kennedy was the commencement speaker. It was a proud day with lots of joyful tears and excitement. No one at that time ever dreamed the horrible tragedy that would follow the following November. It was a part of history that affected me very strongly.
