![]() ![]() The procession left the airport and traveled along a ten-mile route that wound through downtown Dallas on the way to the Trade Mart where the President was scheduled to speak at a luncheon. Johnson occupied another car in the motorcade. Since it was no longer raining, the plastic bubble top had been left off. Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie, were already seated in the open convertible as the Kennedys entered and sat behind them. The first lady received a bouquet of red roses, which she brought with her to the waiting limousine. Kennedy disembarked and immediately walked toward a fence where a crowd of well-wishers had gathered, and they spent several minutes shaking hands. ![]() Arriving at Love Field, President and Mrs. The presidential party left the hotel and went by motorcade to Carswell Air Force Base for the thirteen-minute flight to Dallas. "We will continue to do…our duty, and the people of Texas will be in the lead." On to Dallas "We are still the keystone in the arch of freedom," he said. The warmth of the audience response was palpable as the president reached out to shake hands amidst a sea of smiling faces.īack inside the hotel the president spoke at a breakfast of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, focusing on military preparedness. It takes longer, but, of course, she looks better than we do when she does it." He went on to talk about the nation's need for being "second to none" in defense and in space, for continued growth in the economy and "the willingness of citizens of the United States to assume the burdens of leadership." ![]() "There are no faint hearts in Fort Worth," he began, "and I appreciate your being here this morning. ![]() A platform was set up and the president, wearing no protection against the weather, came out to make some brief remarks. Morning in Fort WorthĪ light rain was falling on Friday morning, November 22, but a crowd of several thousand stood in the parking lot outside the Texas Hotel where the Kennedys had spent the night. Continuing on to Houston, he addressed t he League of United Latin American Citizens, and spoke at a testimonial dinner for Congressman Albert Thomas before ending the day in Fort Worth. They accompanied the president to Brooks Air Force Base for the dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center. Nonetheless, JFK seemed to relish the prospect of leaving Washington, getting out among the people and into the political fray. He also knew that a relatively small but vocal group of extremists was contributing to the political tensions in Texas and would likely make its presence felt-particularly in Dallas, where US Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson had been physically attacked a month earlier after making a speech there. President Kennedy was aware that a feud among party leaders in Texas could jeopardize his chances of carrying the state in 1964, and one of his aims for the trip was to bring Democrats together. On November 21, the president and first lady departed on Air Force One for the two-day, five-city tour of Texas. Kennedy would accompany him on the swing through Texas, which would be her first extended public appearance since the loss of their baby, Patrick, in August. At the meeting, JFK stressed the importance of winning Florida and Texas and talked about his plans to visit both states in the next two weeks. Then, on November 12, he held the first important political planning session for the upcoming election year. Campaigning in TexasĪ month later, the president addressed Democratic gatherings in Boston and Philadelphia. But JFK also used it to sound out themes-such as education, national security, and world peace-for his run in 1964. The trip was meant to put a spotlight on natural resources and conservation efforts. Although he had not formally announced his candidacy, it was clear that President Kennedy was going to run and he seemed confident about his chances for re-election.Īt the end of September, the president traveled west, speaking in nine different states in less than a week. Kennedy and his political advisers were preparing for the next presidential campaign. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas.īy the fall of 1963, President John F. Shortly after noon on November 22, 1963, President John F. ![]()
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