"YOU WERE GREAT TODAY"

KENNEDYS ARRIVE IN TEXAS

San Antonio (JFK+50)  On Thursday, November 21, 1963, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy arrived here in San Antonio where teenagers gathered on the observation deck of the airport "scream(ing).... 'Jackie!'"   

The Kennedys enjoyed a 26 mile motorcade ride through the city, concluding with the President's speech at the dedication of the USAF Aerospace Medical Division at Brooks Air Force Base.

President Kennedy said...

"This Nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it.  With the help of all Americans, we will climb this wall with safety and with speed--and we shall explore the wonders on the other side."

Later, JFK spoke at the dinner honoring Congressman Albert Thomas at the Houston Coliseum. The Presidential party arrived in Fort Worth just before midnight.  The Kennedys spent their last night together in a three room suite at the Texas Hotel.   

Thurston Clarke writes..."(JFK and Jackie) embraced and he said...'You were great today.'   She went next door and laid out the pink suit and pillbox hat she would wear the following day."

SOURCES

"End of Days:  The Assassination of John F. Kennedy," by James Swanson.  Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2013.

"JFK's Last Hundred Days:  The Transformation of a Man and the Emergence of a Great President," by Thurston Clarke, Penguin Press, 2013.

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.

JFK and Jackie

San Antonio, Texas

November 21, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Image

JACKIE LAID OUT THE PINK SUIT & PILLBOX HAT

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2136

FOUR CITIES IN ONE DAY: NOVEMBER 21, 1963

Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Houston & Fort Worth, Texas  (JFK+50) They called it a whirlwind political tour and they called it right.  President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy's last full day together was shared in four American cities...their last day together would be shared in only two.

Fifty-three years ago today, the President of the United States and Mrs. Kennedy began the day in the Nation's Capital and ended it where the following day would begin, Fort Worth.

The Texas tour began, however,  in San Antonio where teenagers gathered on the observation deck of the airport and "screamed.... 'Jackie!'"   The Kennedys enjoyed a 26 mile motorcade ride through the city, concluding with JFK's speech at the dedication of the USAF Aerospace Medical Division at Brooks Air Force Base.

President Kennedy said...

"This Nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it.  With the help of all Americans, we will climb this wall with safety and with speed--and we shall explore the wonders on the other side."

In the evening, JFK spoke at the dinner honoring Congressman Albert Thomas at the Houston Coliseum.  After the dinner, the Presidential party departed Kelly Field where 5000 people had gathered to see them off and arrived at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth just before midnight.  

JFK and the First Lady spent their last night together in a three room suite at the Texas Hotel.   

Thurston Clarke writes..."(JFK and Jackie) embraced and he said...'You were great today.'   She went next door and laid out the pink suit and pillbox hat she would wear the following day."

SOURCES

"End of Days:  The Assassination of John F. Kennedy," by James Swanson.  Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2013.

"JFK's Last Hundred Days:  The Transformation of a Man and the Emergence of a Great President," by Thurston Clarke, Penguin Press, 2013.

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.

JFK and Jackie

San Antonio, Texas

November 21, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Image

TEXAS WELCOMES JFK

WELCOME MR. KENNEDY TO TEXAS

San Antonio (JFK+50) President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy were welcomed to the Lone Star State fifty-one years ago today, Thursday, November 21, 1963, arriving here in San Antonio on the first stop of their planned two day, five city political tour.

Why did President Kennedy go to Texas in November 1963?

One of the reasons often given was to attempt to heal the division in the Texas Democratic party between the liberal wing led by Senator Ralph Yarborough and the conservative wing led by Governor John B. Connally.

Thurston Clarke does not buy the argument.  He writes...

"...the notion that Kennedy could resolve (the rift) by visiting Texas for a few days was preposterous.  Johnson and Yarborough lived in Washington, and if that had been Kennedy's only goal he could have easily invited them to the Oval Office for peace talks."

Clarke lists the following reasons for the Texas trip: To...

raise money, energize the party, demonstrate appeal to oil men, executives and conservatives and to improve chances of winning Texas by significant margins

JFK and Jackie

San Antonio, Texas

November 21, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Image

In an interview with Larry King on CNN in the early 1990s, John Connally emphasized the fundraising aspect of the trip.   He said that JFK wanted five fund-raising dinners.  

As Air Force One landed in San Antonio, teenagers, gathered on the observation deck, "screamed.... 'Jackie!'"

The President and First Lady then began a 26 mile motorcade through the city, and JFK would speak at the dedication of the United States Air Force Aerospace Medical Division at Brooks Air Force Base.

If the President had hoped that his visit would help patch up the division in the party, he was soon to be disappointed.  Senator Ralph Yarborough would not ride with LBJ in the motorcade. Instead, he jumped in another car with Congressman Henry Gonzalez.

At Brooks, President Kennedy said....

"I have come to Texas today to salute an outstanding group of pioneers, the men who man the Brooks Air Force Base School of Aerospace Medicine and the Aerospace Medical Center.

This city has long been the home of the pioneers in the air...and in the new frontier of outer space...history is being made every day by the men and women of the Aerospace Medical Center..."

The President continued...

"This Nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it.  

With the help of all Americans, we will climb this wall with safety and with speed--and we shall explore the wonders on the other side."

After speaking, JFK looked through the porthole of an oxygen chamber where 4 men had been living since November 3 in at atmosphere simulating being in outer space.  Following the event at Brooks, the Presidential party flew to Houston where JFK "had decided against a formal motorcade."

In the evening, JFK spoke at the dinner honoring Congressman Albert Thomas at the Houston Coliseum.

President Kennedy said...

"The United States next month will have a leadership in space which it wouldn't have without Albert Thomas.  And so will this city.  Albert...is old enough to dream dreams, and young enough to see visions.

He sees an America of the future...strong in science and space, in health and in learning...an America that is both powerful and peaceful...prosperous and just.  With that vision we shall not perish, and we cannot fail."

After the dinner, the Presidential party departed Kelly Field where 5000 people had gathered to see them off and arrived at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth just before midnight.  

JFK and the First Lady spent their last night together in a threeroom suite at the Texas Hotel.

Thurston Clarke writes...

"(JFK and Jackie) embraced and he said...

'You were great today.' 

 She went next door and laid out the pink suit and pillbox hat she would wear the following day."

SOURCES

"End of Days:  The Assassination of John F. Kennedy," by James Swanson.  Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2013.

"JFK's Last Hundred Days:  The Transformation of a Man and the Emergence of a Great President," by Thurston Clarke, Penguin Press, 2013.

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.

WHY DID JFK GO TO TEXAS?

November 21, 2013

JFK WELCOMED TO TEXAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY

San Antonio (JFK+50) President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy were welcomed to the Lone Star State 50 years ago today, November 21, 1963, arriving here in San Antonio on the first stop of their planned five city political tour.

JFK and Jackie

San Antonio, Texas

November 21, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Image

This question has been debated over the past 50 years:  

Why did JFK go to Texas?

One of the reasons mentioned frequently is to heal the division in the Democratic party in the state as evidenced by the rift between the liberal wing led by Senator Ralph Yarborough and the conservative wing led by Governor John B. Connally.

Thurston Clarke discounts this in his recent book. 

He writes...

"...the notion that Kennedy could resolve (the rift) by visiting Texas for a few days was preposterous.  Johnson and Yarborough lived in Washington, and if that had been Kennedy's only goal he could have easily invited them to the Oval Office for peace talks."

Clarke lists the following reasons for the Texas trip:

1. to raise money
2. to energize the party
3. to demonstrate appeal to oil men, executives and conservatives
4. to improve chances of winning Texas by significant margins

In an interview with Larry King on CNN in the early 1990s, John Connally emphasized the fundraising aspect of the trip.   He said that JFK wanted 5 fund-raising dinners.  Nellie Connally followed that up by saying..."Gobble! Gobble!"

As Air Force One landed in San Antonio, teenagers, gathered on the observation deck, "screamed.... 'Jackie!'"

The President and First Lady then began a 26 mile motorcade through the city, and JFK would speak at the dedication of the United States Air Force Aerospace Medical Division at Brooks Air Force Base.

If the President had hoped that his visit would help patch up the division in the party, he was soon to be disappointed.  Senator Yarborough would not even ride with LBJ in the motorcade. 

Instead, he jumped in another car with Congressman Henry Gonzalez.

At Brooks, President Kennedy said....

"I have come to Texas today to salute an outstanding group of pioneers, the men who man the Brooks Air Force Base School of Aerospace Medicine and the Aerospace Medical Center.

This city has long been the home of the pioneers in the air...and in the new frontier of outer space...history is being made every day by the men and women of the Aerospace Medical Center..."

The President continued...

"This Nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it.  

With the help of all Americans, we will climb this wall with safety and with speed--and we shall explore the wonders on the other side."

After speaking, JFK looked through the porthole of an oxygen chamber where 4 men had been living since November 3 in at atmosphere simulating being in outer space.  

Following the event at Brooks, the Presidential party flew to Houston where JFK "had decided against a formal motorcade."

Thurston Clarke tells us that while at the Rice Hotel, where the President and First Lady were freshening up,  LBJ paid a visit and while alone with JFK in the next room, Jackie could hear them shouting at each other.

Clarke writes that JFK  was "angry" with LBJ's failure to settle the feud between John Connally and Ralph Yarborough.

James Swanson, in his newly released "End of Days," disagrees with Clarke's assessment of the event.

Swanson believes Jackie simply thought they were arguing because of the loud voices, but when she later asked JFK about it, he told her that they had NOT argued.

In the evening, JFK spoke at the dinner honoring Congressman Albert Thomas at the Houston Coliseum.

There, the President said...

"The United States next month will have a leadership in space which it wouldn't have without Albert Thomas.  And so will this city.

Albert...is old enough to dream dreams, and young enough to see visions.

He sees an America of the future...strong in science and space, in health and in learning...an America that is both powerful and peaceful...prosperous and just.

With that vision we shall not perish, and we cannot fail."

After the dinner, the Presidential party departed Kelly Field where 5000 people had gathered to see them off and arrived at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth just before midnight.  

JFK and the First Lady would spent their last night together in a 3 room suite at the Texas Hotel.

Thurston Clarke writes...

"(JFK and Jackie) embraced and he said, 'You were great today.'  She went next door and laid out the pink suit and pillbox hat she would wear the following day."


SOURCES

"End of Days:  The Assassination of John F. Kennedy," by James Swanson.  Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2013.

"JFK's Last Hundred Days:  The Transformation of a Man and the Emergence of a Great President," by Thurston Clarke, Penguin Press, 2013.

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.

JFK VISITS SAN ANTONIO

November 21, 1963

JFK VISITS SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio, Texas  (JFK+50) President & Mrs. John F. Kennedy visited San Antonio today on the 1st stop of their 5 city tour in the state of Texas.

                   JFK & Ms. Kennedy 
  San Antonio International Airport
                  San Antonio, Texas
                   November 21, 1963
          Photo by Cecil Stoughton
                 JFK Library Image

After a motorcade* through the city, the President spoke at the dedication of the United States Air Force Aerospace Medical Division at Brooks Air Force Base.

JFK concluded his remarks with these words:

"This Nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space & we have no choice but to follow it.  Whatever the difficulties, they will be overcome.  Whatever the hazards, they must be guarded against.  

With the vital help of this Aerospace Medical Center  & with the support of all Americans, we will climb this wall with safety & with speed--

And then we shall explore the wonders on the other side."

*During the motorcade, a photograph was taken by Joseph Elicson as JFK's limo passed in front of the Beneficial Finance & Thrift Company.  JFK is sitting in his customary spot in the right rear with Ms. Kennedy on his left.  Nellie Connally, the wife of the Governor of Texas, is sitting in the jump seat directly in front of JFK with her husband to the left.  The following day in Dallas, the Connally's positions were reversed as the Governor was hit by gunfire along with JFK in Dealey Plaza.

The photograph can be seen at:

 drtlibrary.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/november-21-1963-president-kennedy-in-san-antonio/

Source:

"Inside the Gates," Nov. 21, 1963: President Kennedy in San Antonio, Nov 30, 2009.