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Depictions? ... Nay Shame
John John Jr's body recovered July 21, 1999.
A memorial Mass organized by the Irish community
in New York is scheduled for Thursday, July 22nd
at Old St. Patrick's Cathedral
in lower Manhattan at around 6 PM.
"It is intended to supplement whatever service the
family will arrange and perhaps accommodate
mourners who might not otherwise have an opportunity
to pay their respects,'' said Brian O'Dwyer, head
of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center.
Kennedy, who inherited his father's sense of promise
is now with his parents in heaven. No one (other than
those who are ?) had only but good to say about
him. The way he handled himself when being hounded
by the media was something. No camplaining, no tantrums
thrown, nothing of the sort.
"He never asked what we could do for him, but rather
what he could do for us,'' Carolyn Ryan told a
thousand mourners inside Old St. Patrick's in a
service marked by bagpipe music, hymns and scripture
read in Gaelic. Some 3,000 more people were outside.
Ryan, of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, asked
congregants to salute Kennedy in memory of his
famous gesture to his slain father, the nation's
35th president, on the son's third birthday.
The media were there in numbers great, my image
must surely be captured while on line, on entry to,
or when exiting from that magnificent "Old Saint
Patrick's Cathedral."
The pride I felt is hard to describe; a Famine
surviving people who having gained wealth still
immerse themselves in public service for the
betterment of his fellow man. The example they
set and the inspiration they provide, in pride and
love of family, is magical.
I heard the strains of Kevin Barry and
Will ye come to the Bower before the
memorial Mass got underway - overcoming is
awesome - knowing how a people struggled and still
cannot be forced to "lay doon."
A little of what we heard: Tyrone Pipers, Cathedral Organist,
Lake Isle of Innisfree, by W.B. Yeats,
"The Culain," by O'Carolan (famed Irish harper and
composer), Danny Boy and ending with the
"Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Father Colm Campbell, Irish Apostolate USA,
who is from Belfast, spoke of our loss
and reminicesed about John John's father's
trip to Ireland and of the esteem by which he
is held, by %80 of the people of that island.
Forever young (just like Jesus)
What a wonderful memorial service for John John Jr.,
his wife and her sister - the Bessette ladies -
on July 22, 1999.
Thousands gathered Thursday at Old St. Patrick's
Cathedral on Mulberry Street, a site once known as
the city's main Roman Catholic shrine.
July 23, 1999, at a private service in NY city which included President Clinton and select others, a part of what Sen. Ted Kennedy addressed about his nephew "He was still becoming the person he would be, and doing it by the beat of his own drummer. He had only just begun. There was in him a great promise of things to come."
John's sister, Caroline, read a piece from the "Tempest" more in keeping with her mother's Anglo-French roots, I would believe. Uncomfortable with publicity and of politics and politicans, in general, like her mother, this young lady seems to be distancing herself, and her family, from the Kennedy clan - her absence from a wedding-to-be for cousin Rory and her televised bicycling displays provides a hint of something, not sure what all of this reveals. I'm trying to imagine, given such a tragedy, that I would dare do the same. Boat rides or brisk walks should suffice during the days of search and recovery of a loved one's body. I'm sure questions will be raised over time.
Trauma relating to loss of a father and her mother's marriage to shipping magnate, Onassis, and his subsequent death, and the male companions her mother sought to comfort her, may have had an impact on daughter Caroline's thinking. The contrast observed between the free spirited Kennedys versus non-politican others. Politicians are generally found out and about, shaking hands with fellow human beings and John John Jr., was of the people. A regular guy, quite amazing. The "sweet sorrow" I feel, is in knowing that he will live on in the mythology of America, Ireland and the World. Rest in Peace.
Good Buddy is Listening .... Waiting for Bush ... Blame for Time game
Calling a Spade a ... Warned, Shut Up! ... Let's get Outta here
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