The LuLac Edition #1354, Oct. 30th, 2010
PHOTO INDEX: OUR INTERVIEW LOGO.
INTERVIEW
I talked to a person just a few years older than I about the night fifty years ago that John Kennedy came up the highway.
Q: Remember the night?
A: Oh my Goodness. It was incredible. One of the supermarkets closed at about 4pm in Pittston. He was late though but oh was it worth the wait.
Q: You try to explain to people what it was like, do we do it justice?
A: You can’t. It was a different time. Don’t forget we were only 16 years removed from the end of World War II and JFK was a vet. My dad was so proud that both Kennedy and Nixon were Navy men.
Q: Were we you on the route?
A: I was on a bike.
Q: Really?
A: Yeah I rode ahead and stopped right at the Triangle in Pittston. I saw him in Wilkes Barre then peddled like a madman through Plains. I had to ditch the bike right around the triangle where that Sunoco is in Pittston. And I stood there but thought I could get a better vantage point a few blocks up.
Q: Your reaction when you saw him?
A: It was bedlam. At first I couldn’t see much because the crowd was surging. I mean I felt myself (and I was a lanky kid) get lifted. It was an odd feeling.
Q: Obviously the draw was….
A: Oh everything. Catholic, Irish, movie star good looks. And he wasn’t Ike. I mean he was born in this century you know?
Q: I know. What do you remember the most after the event?
A: It was strange. It was pure joy. Pittston had its share of celebrities in town. Oral Roberts, Edie Adams, people like that making appearances. But this was special. I think every son of an immigrant felt a connection, every Catholic felt a connection, every vet.
Q: And then in just a few moments it was over, just like in a few years, everything for him was over.
A: Yeah. But let’s not talk about that today. Let me remember that glorious night.
Q: You’re right. It was a good night pal. We were in separate areas but it was a good night.
A: Indeed it was.
posted by David Yonki @ 12:01 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Kennedy drove by the Triangle Diner near the forks of the road (where the A Plus is now located)??? I was under the impression that his motorcade came up Wyoming Avenue and crossed the Water ST. bridge turning left on Main St. between the two banks.
IN RESPONSE
Kennedy drove by the Triangle Diner near the forks of the road (where the A Plus is now located)??? I was under the impression that his motorcade came up Wyoming Avenue and crossed the Water ST. bridge turning left on Main St. between the two banks.
I THINK YOU ARE CORRECT. I'LL HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK. MY FRIEND WAS VERY, VERY EMOTIONAL AND I WASN'T GOING TO CALL HIM ON IT. I SHOULD HAVE BUT WHEN SOMEONE GETS GOING WITH THE FLOW, YOU'RE TEMPTED NOT TO STOP THEM. I REMEMBER PEOPLE SAYING HE TOOK ROUTE 11 ALL THE WAY TO SCRANTON WHICH WOULD HAVE PUT HIM ON WYOMING AVENUE AND THEN THROUGH PITTSTON.
I was there in Pittston and I remember him coming up by Borr and Caseys. My God what an event. I still get tears in my eyes thinking about that night.
Oh Geeezzze!
who is john Kennedy. was he on American idol?
He was an infielder for the Washington Senators in the mid 60s.
John Kennedy was the QB for the Scranton Eagles. Jessh
"He was an infielder for the Washington Senators in the mid 60s."
And the Seattle Pilots in 1969. Batter and threw right.
If this is the same event, I was a student at St John's and a member of the football team. We were on our way viz bus to the Exeter stadium where we layed our home games and sat in traffic waiting like a lot of others. We were late getting to the game and started with a delay of game penalty.
Your Lunch Buddy
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