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Your Thoughts on JFK Jr.
As the day went on and the time grew long the coverage of these events took the usual turn into hero worship. I can imagine, even though I'm sure the Bessette family loved John Jr., that they must have cringed every time some idiot reporter treated Carolyn's and Lauren's death as a footnote to Kennedy's. What a stupid shame. This type of so-called reporting from a group of image-makers is working my last nerve. Redundancy must be the first rule of journalism because it's certainly not factual reporting. When all the real news has been reported and there's nothing new to say, why don't they just shut up. Instead, they tried to tell Americans how to feel about Kennedy and Kennedy's death – trying to force grief upon those who understand that they are not required to grieve for strangers. I am so tired of hearing, on occasions like this, reporters attempting to speak for me as an American with the often-used phrase "America feels this," or "America grieves for whomever" as if it were the gospel truth. There are over 237,000,000 Americans and unless these reporters have spoken to a least half of them, they aren't even half right about what Americans feel. I say all this to simply say I don't feel a true desire to grieve for this family although I honor and respect their pain as I would anyone who has lost to the land of death one of its own. I hate to state the obvious, but we all know the world will keep turning even without any Kennedys on it. Sorry John, Carolyn and Lauren left so suddenly but so did Kenny and Shirley. I certainly won't forget Christy leaving without saying goodbye or the accident that took Ronnie's life. I didn't say goodby to Jimmie either, I hope she understood. B.A. Fletcher
The death of John F. Kennedy Jr. did not warrant flags being flown at half-staff at Arlington Cemetery. He was not a government official, nor a veteran. With all the hype about the impact of the loss on his family, why didn't they interview the families of the two soldiers who died in Kosovo and ask them how they feel about their loss and grief. The flags should be flying at half-staff for them, not John Kennedy. Mary Ann
During JFK Jr.'s funeral I will cry for a family steeped in tragedy, I will cry for a family that has never known such depths of misery, I will cry for America's youth whose future's are a little less bright without the potential greatness of Camelot's crown Prince and most of all I will cry for a woman who once again will be left only with memories of someone she loved deeply for it is she who will go on alone. Heather Martin
John, Carolyn and Lauren you were beautiful to me and I will forever remember you. You were too perfect for this world and go now to one that matches you. Thank you for all you have given to me. Matt
For me, he will be remembered as the child who saluted his father. Len
My twin brother and I were second-graders at C.B. Berry Elementary School in Arlington, Texas when his father (the president) was assassinated. I remember sitting at the schoolyard's flagpole as our principal came outside and lowered the flag to half-mast, with tears coming from his face. My brother and I were extremely proud of our own father, who was a high school teacher and coach. Teaching and coaching, after all, was a form of community service. The president's dream for an improved world was enthusiastically shared by many; and many people...young and old...were not apathetic. They wanted to be team players via community service. I, by virtue of my time of birth, fall into the back end of the "baby boomer" generation. I expect, that for many other baby boomers and myself, we have once again realized that the world is figuratively flat; and that we have taken another large step in a not-so-long line where we now see ourselves stepping off of the earth. How sad it is to see two generations of a family die before you! Ronnell Hayden
Just like Princess Di, I will forever miss him and the opportunity to know his wife.... Rita Rashad
John, Carolyn and Lauren – you will be forever young, forever beautiful and forever in our hearts. Angela
After three months of NATO pilots buzzing over my head and playing with Tomahawks every night I can hardly feel anything about this accident although I really admired the Kennedy family. The question is...why do these beautiful and gifted people last so short?. I came out alive from the shower of bombs,they got killed. Hmm, we should give it a thought. Milan
Maybe John Kennedy Jr.'s loss will cause many of the new inexperienced pilots to stop and think before they fly. It is sad to see the terrible waste. These three young people were in the prime of life....May God bless their families and loved ones. Bob Polhamus
My heart goes out to both the Kennedy and Bessette family. I know it does not make sense at this time but the saying goes that God does all things for a reason even though we do not know what that reason is. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. CEW
This is so tragic. I read this and want to cry. My only hope is that he made peace with God. My prayers are with the Kennedys. Kesha Samuels
The untimely death of John F. Kennedy, his wife and sister-in-law is sad and reminds us of our mortality. Would that the media could exercise some perspective, discretion and dignity in the reporting of such a tragedy. I can not conceive of any member of the Kennedy family, friends or admirers not being appalled by the overwrought media "coverage" R.C. Fredericks
I think one person who was interviewed on MSNBC said it best when he said its a loss of hope for the future. It's very sad to be reminded that we will all "pass" one day. Katy
I don't think he'll be remembered at all by history except for the accident. He was a celebrity by virtue of his relatives, not by virtue of any accomplishments. After all, he was the editor of a failing magazine, who wouldn't have raised the money without his name. Of the three people on the plane, his sister-in-law seems to have been the only really accomplished person, as a VP of a major brokerage. Now can we get back to the real news and stop pandering to those nostalgic for the '60s? (Yes, I'm old enough to remember his father's assassination, as I was already in college). Gary Goldberg
I will remember JFK Jr. as a man in his prime, ready to take his place in history, alongside, not behind his father. His life as it would have been is a matter of speculation. Whether he would have taken office, or continued a semi-private existence, it is sure that he and his wife would have made their mark. History will remember his young death, and the tragedy of such potential lost so early. Jennifer
What a great loss for the nation! He had so much potential and we will never know how he would have served his country. It seems a double tragedy that he had no children. These three beautiful, talented young people were taken in the prime of their lives. Janet LaMotte
For the ones who feel that the media has gone overboard with covering this tragedy...don't watch it! For some of us, the Kennedys are like American royalty. JFK Jr. had a life that we envied. Is that so bad? But he was also a do-gooder and that shouldn't be forgotten. I was born the same year JFK was assassinated and as a teenager, I read every book and article I could about the family. So what? The same comments were made when Princess Diana was killed...we all loved her too. Why is it so disconcerting to idolize a family who had it all? Turn the channel. No Name
The Prince is Called Home
In bygone days of Camelot
Then darkness came, the king was claimed
A nation mourned, great tears were poured
Now once again we feel the pain
Joel Kenn
The greatest loss is that there will never be a JFK III. Bob
If we put aside the history and celebrity of the Kennedy family, we will see more clearly the tragedy of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s death. He was Caroline's beloved little brother, and now she has lost not only her brother, but her soul's companion. And Lisa Bessette, has lost not just one sister, but both her siblings. These two young women, now bereft, are in my thoughts and prayers. Audrey H. Bailey
I just find it ridiculous that people are so mean and cold for people to criticize a dead man. It was a tragic loss when he and his wife and her sister were killed just as it is always a tragic loss when a life is taken away. Regardless of how the accident happened or who is at fault, three people are dead. Yes, the media is overglorifying Kennedy's life, but who cares? He wouldn't. They've been harassing him since he was a child! Why can't we just deal with the fact that some people in society only care about celebrities and let it be? Who cares if your death gets on TV? Why can't we, as private citizens, recognize the loss of life that the media skips over? Why can't we do things to help impoverished citizens on our own without it being on the news. Pick up the phone and volunteer to help instead of sitting around whining that the media is focusing on people you care nothing about. Make this world a better place on your own instead of wasting time. Or, here's an idea, stop watching these shows or reading these articles! But don't take that away from other people in this country who care about this tragedy. Diane FitzGerald
I only recently starting to take note of John. I feel he was just at the beginning of discovering who he was not only as a human being but also as a spiritual being and the role he felt he was to play in this lifetime. Yes, it is very sad that he and Carolyn and Lauren have departed from the everyday reality we call 'life.' However, let us try to look at all the positive aspects of their lives. John was afforded the opportunity to have a mother who taught him how to be genuine. Caroline had the experience of being able to look up to and love her younger brother more than words can ever express – just look at some of the photos of them together, it says it all. He also had the opportunity to accomplish a personal goal by publishing "George", and last but not least, he was able to find his soulmate and experience the union of true love – he found his "Camelot" in Carolyn. Yes, there all those should haves, could haves, and would haves. However, in order for all of us to get past this, the one thing we need to do is to simply know that God and each of us as individuals have the divine blue prints for our lives, and we need to release them and let their spirits soar, after all their journey's just begun. Stephanie Fodor
Immortality
Do not stand by my grave and weep,
When you awake in the mornings rush
Do not stand by my grave and cry Unknown Sarah Bowles
I was heartbroken to hear the news that we lost John, Carolyn, Lauren. Your lives were cut too short. We will miss you dearly. Rose
We lost a good one. lenyear
I'm still in a state of shock. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of John, Carolyn and Lauren and with his sister. May their faith be strong as always. We are only loaned to this earth for a short time and in my heart. At last he will meet his father and be with his mother. ALL Americans should feel a loss as John was America'a son. With all of his wealth, he was always polite, humble and an example that all mankind. How nice it would have been if all of our children would have had the grace, the manners and the respect this young man and his sister had for their family, friends and country. May he rest in peace and we will forever miss him as he was a part of us. But until we find John, it will be hard to put a closure to him being gone. I still have that flicker of hope that we will find him. Oh, dear God, how I pray for a miracle of all miracles. We love you John-John Mary Nelle Vickers
My prayers go out to both families, but mostly to Caroine. May God Bless both families and may their souls rest in peace. M Spector
I think those who are upset at others for voicing their thoughts need to lighten up a bit; one is entitled to one's opinion. I for one believe many of these thoughts have misconstrued. They do not seem to be a callous disregard for a family's sympathy. They seem more aimed at the media which is in the sad business of promoting tragedy for questionable reasons. Not one minute of any day goes by without a tragedy of mythical proportions to the people involved. But these tragedies are ignored but by a handful of people. The media likes to choose which tragedies affect the American people. Whether it be Littleton, Colo., or the sea off Martha's Vineyard, these images are broadcast to us, while we either choose to remain ignorant or are simply ignorant of the tragedies of our neighbors around us. Yes, we can't help but sympathize with those involved; you would scarcely be human if you could not. But to turn a blind eye or allow the media to blind us of other tragedies is the greatest tragedy of all. Sympathize with the Kennedys but don't for one instance think you can understand their grief because you saw it on television. It is better to turn your sympathy to where it may be more productive. And do not throw stones at those who choose not to engage in a national grief they do not share. S.E.G.
For Whom The Bells Toll..... I would like to say how remarkably well I remember John Kennedy Jr. I was once on staff with President Reagan and traveled with him during the first campaign for president. Some years later at the dedication of the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, five living presidents were present for the ceremonies. John and Caroline, his sister, represented their father. When the ceremony was over, I was in conversation with Mrs. Anwar Sadat,and Caroline and John joined us to make a conversant foursome. Our conversation covered many subjects among them the former president of Egypt, Mr. Anwar Sadat,John and Caroline's father, JFK, and good conversation on other subjects. We stood talking for over 45 minutes until the dinner was to be served. At all times, John and Caroline were attentive to Mrs. Sadat and me – even when others tried to break in. John never broke away, nor did Caroline; he was engaging, polite, laughed naturally and seemed to be really enjoying just talking in our foursome. I was so impressed by the good manners of John and Caroline that I wrote to Mrs. Kennedy remarking what a fine job she did in raising two remarkably wonderful children – the fine adults whom I had met. Mrs. Kennedy wrote back thanking me for my kindness. I later received a kind note from John and Caroline at the passing of their mother a few years later. My friend who knew John while she worked for the Kennedy family for some years wrote: "I guess God was just short on sterling young people and wanted to reinvigorate His Heaven." I was a John and Caroline Kennedy fan watching them grow from the day of their father's timely passing in 1963. I have a daughter with whom I was pregnant at the time of the assassination, and matching their "Camelot" to hers, is a storybook life for all. No mother or father could be more proud of their children, and somewhere in Heaven John and his mother and father, family, wife, and friends may be celebrating his heavenly homecoming. I shall miss him. For Whom The Bells Toll, it tolls for Thee. (Ernest Hemingway). God Bless and Amen. Carol A. Gillis
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