Who doesnt remember what they were doing the day JFK died? The President arrived here in Dallas, Texas on the morning of 22nd November 1963. The Democrats needed his help to save their flagging election campaign in the face of the growing support for the Conservatives. But this was to be John F Kennedys day of reckoning...
John F. Kennedy (signature).J.F.K
His death is permanently etched in the memories of many Americans. Even today thousands flock to the city where the president became the victim of the shots of Lee Harvey Oswald...
Video Screen with Archive On Nov. 22nd, 1963...
In this building where the shots were fired, archive films and photographs enable visitors to relive the events. Nearly half a million people come here every year.
...he would use both Military and peaceful means to help make the world safe....
Even though the political contribution of Kennedy is debatable, he is still idolised in America. The depth of emotion that his death still arouses is evident from the comments in the Visitors Book.
To a man who changed our life and gave us hope taken by a gunmans anger; we love you and we miss you JFK.
Former salesman Paul Crute knows how to make the most of these emotions. He conducts chauffeur tours in a 7 metre long Lincoln Limousine - a replica of the one in which Kennedy died.
Paul Crute: This involves a photograph which was taken by an Associated Press photographer named James Alpen....
Paula Summertin and her childhood friend Linda Trusz have booked one of these special remembrance tours.
Linda Trusz: Its very emotional. When we first decided to do this, I didnt know how I was going to react, but Im getting nervous. Thats the same feeling. I have this feeling of impending doom, thats going to happen, like a build up.. I feel frightened, I feel fear.
Everything seemed to be going perfectly on 22 November 1963. The sun was shining as John F Kennedy stepped onto the tarmac of Dallas Airport.But not everyone was there to celebrate the Presidents arrival...3 shots were fired
Paula and Linda never expected this...The shooting happened at 12:30 p.m., in Elm Street, on the West Side of town near the Dealey Plaza. (Nat Sou footage)
This archive film shows the chaos that followed Something has happened in the motorcade route. Something I repeat, has happened in the motorcade route. We can see Mrs. Kennedys pink suit. Theres a Secret Service man spread-eagled over the top of the car.
Original footage from that day is used to recreate the events that happened...sirens, screams, the panic as Kennedy was driven to Parkland Hospital.
Linda and Paula are clearly shocked by the experience; perhaps this was more than they bargained for...
Paul Crute has seen this all before. Not many of his clients manage to hold back the tears.
Nat Sou commentary: President Kennedy has been given a blood transfusion at Parkland Hospital here in Dallas in an effort to save his life. A priest has been ordered. Emergency supplies of blood also being rushed to the hospital.
The John F Kennedy tour ends with these words..Nat Sou: He and another priest tell me that the pair of men have just administered the last rites of the Catholic Church. Theres only one word to describe the picture here and thats grief and much of it. Its official, as of a few minutes ago, the President of the United States is dead.
Television Anchorman Walter Cronkite is left with the task of informing the nation...
Nat Sou, Walter Cronkite: President Kennedy died at 1p.m. Central Standard Time, 2pm Eastern Standard Time, some 38 minutes ago.
Three million people were left to grieve.
Nat Sou: Women here in shock, some have fainted. Tears streaming down their face. Theres only one word to describe the picture here and thats grief and much of it.
Linda and Paula recall their memories from the time. Four investigations in 25 years were never able to uncover the real truth surrounding the circumstances of the Presidents death...who shot JFK ?
80% of Americans refuse to believe that only one person was responsible. Most think it was a conspiracy. Because of his untimely death and the mystery that surrounds it, JFK has now become a legend.
Linda Trusz: President Kennedy when he was assassinated, it was our country that lost our leader, this man with no frontier? this charismatic leader, it was very sad; and I was younger, I was a child, my emotions werent developed enough, I followed the group and was sad; here as an adult, I feel very, very sad.
Paula Summertin: Its the finality you know thats so shocking. I didnt know how we were going to react to this, I didnt know how we would feel, and then all of a sudden I heard the gunshots and its over again, it was over and it was ended; theres no bringing it back and thats what I experienced again, is that its over and how vulnerable life is. You know, its just here one minute and next minute its gone.