"NEW CANADIAN P.M. IS 'THE LIFE OF THE PARTY'"

LESTER PEARSON EASES 'STRAIN ON U.S.-CANADIAN RELATIONS'

Hyannis Port, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On May 11, 1963, The Evening Star reports that new Canadian prime minister Lester Pearson* hosted a reception last evening for President John F. Kennedy and the press of both the United States and Canada.

David S. Broder describes the prime minister as "the life of the party in Bobby Kennedy's living room" and in the process eased "the strain on U.S.-Canadian relations."

Mr. Pearson then "flew off by helicopter to the President's summer home" here in Hyannis for lunch and "the start of their talks."

JFK+50 NOTE

Upon greeting PM Pearson's arrival to the United States again in May 1963, JFK said "We share a neighbor's pride in the prime minister's career" & welcomed him "as an old friend of the United States."  JFK & Pearson shared a "warm, productive relationship."

*Lester Bowles Pearson (1897-1972) was born in Newtonbrook, Ontario & educated at Victoria University.  LBP served as Canadian ambassador to the U.S. 1944-1946 & won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957.  He served as PM of Canada 1963-1968 & initiated progressive policies.

SOURCES

"Pearson Thaws Ottawa Frost At Meeting With Kennedy," by David S. Broder, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 11, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Welcoming Remarks to Prime Minister of Canada At Otis AFB, Falmouth, MA, 10 May 1963," JFK Presidential Library and Museum, www.jfklibrary.org/

Lester Pearson Statue

Parliament Hill Grounds

Photo by D. Gordon E. Robertson

2010

SUPPORT OF NATO & A STRONG BILATERAL DEFENSE

JFK CONCLUDES TALKS WITH CANADIAN PM

Hyannis Port (JFK+50) On May 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy and Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson* concluded two days of talks here at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

The two leaders of  neighboring nations of the Western Hemisphere issued a joint statement emphasizing their good relationship.  In the statement, JFK & PM Pearson also indicated continued support of NATO as well as a strong bilateral defense of the hemisphere.

The Prime Minister also indicated a willingness to allow nuclear warheads to be placed on missiles based in Canada.

*Lester Bowles Pearson (1897-1972) was born in York (Toronto) Canada & graduated from the University of Toronto in 1919.  LBP then attended the University of Oxford.  In 1957, LBP won the Nobel Peace Prize for organizing the UN Emergency Force to solve the Suez Canal Crisis.

        Lester Pearson & JFK

          Hyannis Port, MA

Photo from network.national post

     Post by Kelly McParland

Original photo: Ottawa Citizen

CANADA AND US AGREED TO SHARE OWNERSHIP OF FDR'S CAMPOBELLO COTTAGE

May 11, 2013

CANADA AND US AGREED TO SHARE OWNERSHIP OF FDR'S CAMPOBELLO COTTAGE 50 YEARS AGO TODAY

Hyannis, Massachusetts (JFK+50) President John F.  Kennedy and Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson*, meeting here in Hyannis on May 11, 1963, agreed to accept an offer of donation of the FDR cottage and grounds located on Campbello Island** to their respective countries.

The offer was made by Dr. Armand Hammer of Los Angeles, California and his brothers Harry and Victor who acquired the property in 1952.

In a joint statement released by JFK and PM Pearson, the cottage and 29 acres of land was "to be used for public purposes which would appropriately commemorate" President Franklin D. Roosevelt who was described as "a good friend of Canada."

                 FDR on Campobello Island
                           June 16, 1933
                 FDR Library/NARA Image

The Roosevelt family had a summer home at Campobello dating back to 1883.  It was there that FDR was stricken with polio in 1921.  In 1939, FDR acquired the 34 room cottage which he used as a summer retreat.

                      Roosevelt Cottage
                     Campobello Island
                www.nationalparks.org

JFK and PM Pearson accepted the offer of the Hammers after consulting with Premier Robichaud of New Brunswick.

JFK+50 NOTE:

The Roosevelt Campobello International Park was established by an agreement signed on January 22, 1964 by LBJ and PM Pearson.


*Lester Pearson (1897-1972) was born in Toronto and graduated from Hamilton Collegiate Institute, the University of Toronto and the University of Oxford.  In 1957, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his help in settling the Suez Crisis.  He served as Prime Minister of Canada from April 1963 to April 1968.

                      Lester Pearson Statue
                     Parliament Hill (2010)
          Photo by D. Gordon E. Robertson

**Campobello Island, part of New Brunswick, is connected by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Bridge with Lubec, Maine (at the Easternmost tip of the United States).

The island, which is located at the entrance of Passamaquoddy Bay (named after the Native American tribe which first settled here), is 8.7 miles long and 3.1 miles wide.  Its population in 2011 was 925.  

        Lighthouse on Campobello Island
                      New Brunswick
                 Photo by Skeezix1000

                          You Tube Video

JFK & LESTER PEARSON CONCLUDE TALKS

May 11, 1963


JFK & LESTER PEARSON CONCLUDE TALKS


President John F. Kennedy & Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson concluded 2 days of talks at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts today.


They issued a joint statement emphasizing the good relationship between their neighboring countries.


In the statement, JFK & PM Pearson also indicate continued support of NATO as well as a strong bilateral defense of the Western Hemisphere.


The Prime Minister has also indicated a willingness to allow nuclear warheads be placed on missiles based in Canada.

        Lester Pearson & JFK
          Hyannis Port, MA
Photo from network.national post
     Post by Kelly McParland
Original photo: Ottawa Citizen


May 11, 1962


McNAMARA OPTIMISITC ABOUT VIETNAM


JFK's Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, having just returned from a trip to South Vietnam, expressed optimism today about the military situation in Southeast Asia.


The Secretary said:


"I found nothing but progress & hope for the future (in Vietnam)."


McNamara also said the "strategic hamlet" program of moving villages to the safety of well-guarded military zones has been effective.


On the negative side, the Secretary of Defense says this war will last "not months but years".

        JFK & Robert McNamara
            The Cabinet Room
        The White House (1962)


May 11, 1961


JFK TO SEND MORE ADVISERS TO VIETNAM


President Kennedy today announced his intention to send 400 Special Forces as well as 100 other US military advisers to South Vietnam.*


*Not disclosed publicly is the fact that JFK also authorizes the beginning of a secret war against North Vietnam utilizing both the CIA & Special Forces operatives.  In addition, South Vietnamese forces will be called on to infiltrate Laos to disrupt communist bases & supply lines.

May 11, 1969


US PARATROOPERS BEGIN FIGHT FOR "HAMBURGER HILL"


United States & South Vietnamese forces launched an attack today in an attempt to take Ap Bia Mountain, nicknamed "Hamburger Hill" from the communists.


The hill is located a mile east of the border with Laos.


The purpose of the mission is to cut off North Vietnamese infiltration into the south as well as reduce threats to the cities of Hue & Da Nang.*


*The fighting continues for 10 days.  On May 20, Hamburger Hill is taken but found to be of little strategic value, it is quickly abandoned.


May 11, 1863


CSA GENERAL STUART MORTALLY WOUNDED


Colorful Confederate cavalry General JEB Stuart has been mortally wounded in the fighting north of Richmond, Virginia at the Battle of Yellow Tavern.


The 31 year old Rebel officer was shot by a dismounted Union private, John Huff, as he attempted to rally his troops from horseback.


The bullet entered his side & exited the back.  General Stuart is not expected to survive the wound.*


*JEB Stuart will die the following day.  His last words were: "I am resigned. God's will be done."

                 JEB Stuart's Grave