This is a rerun of a post I wrote six years ago in remembrance of John F, Kennedy’s funeral after being gunned down by an assassin. The story has faded from the news in recent years, but those of us who were witness to the events leading up to the actual crime and the events which followed, we will never forget. It was a difficult time in history. As I’m seeing in our world, all of our history has been fraught with terror, fear and hatred. The story references a poem that JFK read to his wife on the return from their honeymoon. It was almost prophetic of the truth that would unfold only a few years later.

The photograph was taken as the funeral procession made it’s way towards St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  With a little prodding from his mother, John Kennedy, Jr. made the final salute to his father and the Commander in Chief of the United States of America.

The nation was in a state of shock to think that this man with such a bright future, could be cut down by an assassin’s bullet.  It was like the tragic ending to a well orchestrated fairy tale.  I remember the day well.  Like September 11th when our country was attacked by terrorists.   Thoughts of Pearl Harbor come to mind.  It seems every time our nation is rocked by something like this, the best of human nature and patriotism come to the forefront again.  What a sad commentary on our society.

The story of “Camelot” was a favorite of President Kennedy. He enjoyed reading about the adventures of King Arthur and his round table of knights and advisors.  He was moved by the character of Arthur, even though he was surrounded by a world of fantasy and magic.  When the musical version of “Camelot” appeared on Broadway, Jackie and John fell in love with the camaraderie of the King and his men – with the evil Mordred and Morgan le Fey and their villainous intents for the throne – the Magician, Merlin – the swashbuckling spectacle – the illicit affair of Queen Guenevere and Lancelot.  It all rather mirrored the life of the Kennedy dynasty.

After JFK’s funeral, his wife revived the Camelot image when she was quoted as saying,

“Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief, shining moment that was known as Camelot.
There’ll be great presidents again … but there will never be another Camelot.”
— Jacqueline Kennedy

As we recall the events of that horrific week of assassination, investigation, murder of the murder of the assassin, trying to make sense of all of it – the nation was in a state of turmoil, but that chaos brought us together as fellow countrymen.  God has a plan for everything that happens in life.  It is part of the greatest story ever known and the love of God for His people.  Each of us plays one of the characters in the plot.  Some suffer more than others.  Some go through financial, health, grief and loss issues while others manage to go unscathed.

The truth is that God is in charge, even during the troubling times of life.  As Creator of all things, He took what once was nothing but chaos and made a paradise from it.  If He can accomplish such greatness, He will also take the ugly things we face and turn them into something for our good and the good of all those who love Him.

Kennedy has been revered as a great president. I wonder what he would have to say about what’s going on in our country today.  One of his favorite poems was written by Alan Seeger more than a hundred years ago:

I HAVE A RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH

I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air—
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.

It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath—
It may be I shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.

God knows ’twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear…
But I’ve a rendezvous with Death
At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.

Today we honor the man and his service to the United States of America.