Otto’s Column

LOCAL HISTORY

JFK Memorial dedicated July 4, 1966, in Oregon

Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events important in the Oregon area’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society.The following is one of a series of the articles he has written.

BY OTTO DICK

Amemorial to John F. Kennedy stands on the Ogle County Courthouse lawn, a few yards from Taft’s Soldiers’ Memorial.

This JFK Memorial was dedicated July 4, 1966, and read “Dedicated by citizens of Ogle County who Admired our beloved Deceased President. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1917-1963.”

The Nov. 28, 1964, Republican Reporter Newspaper headline read, “Oregon Shocked by Death of President John F. Kennedy.”

“The anguish and heart-felt sympathy that was experienced during this crisis has not been seen since the entry of this country into World War II,” the story said.

At the Oregon Post Office our flag was flown at half-mast as a tribute to our dead President. The flag was flown at half-mast for 30 days during the period of mourning.

Instructions were given about flying the U.S. flag at half-mast. When the flag is raised it should be elevated to the top of the pole and then lowered to the half-mast position.

“When taking it down, the flag should be elevated to the top and then lowered all the way down. Flags may be left up at night; however they must be illuminated after dark. The flag should never be left up after dark at any time other than when it is flown at half-mast for mourning.”

John Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated on Friday, Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas while riding in a presidential motorcade. Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally, who was also shot, were rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital where Kennedy was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the shooting. Connally recovered.

On Sunday, Nov. 24, Kennedy’s coffin was carried by a horse-drawn carriage to the U.S. Capitol. Throughout the day and night thousands of people lined up to view the casket. The funeral was attended by representatives from 90 countries. The funeral was held Monday, Nov. 25, and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C., in Virginia.

Kennedy was the fourth President to be assassinated while holding office. The others were Abraham Lincoln in 1865, James A. Garfield in 1881, and William McKinley in 1891. There have also been several other attempted assassinations through the years.

The Rockford Morning Star ran an article titled “Black Friday,” which read in part: “We mourn the death of President Kennedy just as do all decent Americans. His senseless slaughter was a despicable act. We pray that President Johnson, in the days ahead, can restore the sense of national honor that was so grievously besmirched at Dallas on Friday, Nov. 22, 1963,” the article said.

Now when I observe the Kennedy Memorial I will recall our 35th president was the fourth assassinated U. S. President.

There is no place for those who encourage or participate in violence. The recent attack on our Capitol Building was a huge attack on our democracy and those who encouraged it should be held accountable. Members of both parties should lead the movement against this attack.

Photos provided by Otto Dick ABOVE: This photo, from a scrapbook from 1964, shows the flag flying at half mast at the Oregon Post Office. RIGHT & BELOW: The memorial to John F. Kennedy stands on the Ogle County Courthouse lawn, a few yards from Taft’s Soldiers’ Memorial. BOTTOM RIGHT: The assassination of John F. Kennedy was published in the local newspapers.