I WILL BE HAPPY TO SAY HELLO
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Dave Powers, former assistant to President John F. Kennedy and then curator of the JFK Presidential Library here in Boston, replied to our letter inquiring about the possibility of meeting him during our visit to the JFK Library.
One of the most memorable days of our lives came on July 21, 1986 when we met Mr. Powers in his office at the JFK Library. In his reply of June 23, Mr. Powers wrote...
"I am sure you and your wife will enjoy your visit to the Kennedy Library, and you might inquire downstairs to find out if I happen to be here -- in which case I will be happy to say hello."
Upon arriving at the Kennedy Library, we followed Dave's directions and were given passes to go up the elevator to his office. His secretary greeted us and then ushered us in to his office where a Kennedy rocking chair was sitting in front of Mr. Power's desk & photographs of JFK all around on the walls.
Dave graciously gave us an hour of his time. It was like talking to someone you had known all your life. It was easy to see why he became JFK's best friend.
Dave signed a copy of his book which I had bought down in the museum book store & gave us some booklets & photographs which he also signed for us.
He told us to be sure to stop by the Ye Olde Union Oyster House* and ask to sit in the Kennedy Booth (which we did) and as we left, his secretary was kind enough to show us into the private room reserved for members of the Kennedy family
*Ye Olde Union Oyster House is located at 41 Union Street in Boston. It has been open to the public since 1826 & is one of the oldest restaurants still in operation in the U.S. Its building dates back to 1704. The restaurant was a favorite of Daniel Webster & JFK.
Ye Olde Union Oyster House
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Dave Powers, former assistant to President John F. Kennedy and then curator of the JFK Presidential Library here in Boston, replied to our letter inquiring about the possibility of meeting him during our visit to the JFK Library.
One of the most memorable days of our lives came on July 21, 1986 when we met Mr. Powers in his office at the JFK Library. In his reply of June 23, Mr. Powers wrote...
"I am sure you and your wife will enjoy your visit to the Kennedy Library, and you might inquire downstairs to find out if I happen to be here -- in which case I will be happy to say hello."
Upon arriving at the Kennedy Library, we followed Dave's directions and were given passes to go up the elevator to his office. His secretary greeted us and then ushered us in to his office where a Kennedy rocking chair was sitting in front of Mr. Power's desk & photographs of JFK all around on the walls.
Dave graciously gave us an hour of his time. It was like talking to someone you had known all your life. It was easy to see why he became JFK's best friend.
Dave signed a copy of his book which I had bought down in the museum book store & gave us some booklets & photographs which he also signed for us.
He told us to be sure to stop by the Ye Olde Union Oyster House* and ask to sit in the Kennedy Booth (which we did) and as we left, his secretary was kind enough to show us into the private room reserved for members of the Kennedy family
*Ye Olde Union Oyster House is located at 41 Union Street in Boston. It has been open to the public since 1826 & is one of the oldest restaurants still in operation in the U.S. Its building dates back to 1704. The restaurant was a favorite of Daniel Webster & JFK.
John & Beverly White
JFK Library
Boston, Massachusetts
July 21, 1986
Ye Olde Union Oyster House
Boston, Massachusetts
Photo by Sayamindu Dasgupta (2011)
