It was a wonderful time to be alive.  Americans were living in a self-proclaimed “Camelot” with a charismatic leader and his lovely wife.  All was well with the world.

On this day in history the President of the United States and his First Lady, left Washington, D.C. bound for Houston, Texas to begin a series of campaign appearances  for Governor John Connelly.

That evening JFK and Jackie attended a dinner held by the League of United Latin America Citizens.  This was probably one of the first times  that a president officially acknowledged Latinos as an important voting block.  The crowd zealously chanted, “Jacqueline, Jacqueline, Jaqueline.  The First Lady addressed the gathering in Spanish.

By the end of the evening of social events and speeches, Jackie was exhausted, but still able to lay out her clothes for the next day – the stunning pink suit with matching pillbox hat; a navy blue blouse and handbag; short white gloves.  The outfit would be stained with her husband’s blood the following day.

The events following this dinner overshadowed it because the following day the President was assassinated.   Not only did the world lose a great man that day, but our nation became bruised as it grieved over its lost leader.

In the next few days we’ll hear many words spoken about JFK and his presidency.  Those of us who experienced that day will never forget it.  It’s engraved in our minds as deeply as 9/11.  Tragedy has come to our country many times before, but we as a nation will survive as long as we let God take the reins.

I know that many would like to have us believe that we are no longer a Christian nation, but I think there are still enough of us to make a difference.

Lord, protect our country and all of her leaders this day and every day.  You have promised to be faithful to those who put their trust in you and I know that you are still in the hearts of many in our land.  Hear our cry and heal our nation!  Amen.