Celebrating JFK’s legacy
The late president’s legacy. The man on the moon. Civil rights. His relationship with Martin Luther King Jr.
That’s what Anna Marie Bonner believes the country should focus on today, the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Bonner, a kindergarten teacher at John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Washington, was too young to vividly remember the events of Nov. 22, 1963. She has a few memories of the funeral, as she was no more than 5, but she said her memories are mainly of the sadness that surrounded the day.
But Bonner does remember the dedication of her grade school, Immaculate Conception, in his honor. In the wake of JFK’s assassination, the parish constructed a new school in September 1965. Several months later, in January, the school was dedicated in honor of the slain president.
“He was the first Catholic president,” said Bonner. “There is a lot of pride. Artifacts.”
Margaret Sweeny, a second-grade teacher at JFK Catholic, was also a student when the school was renamed. Sweeny, then 8, can still remember JFK’s funeral and the images of his young children and wife standing near the casket.
“I can still see them in my mind, standing there,” she said.
Both women said a member of the Kennedy family was supposed to attend the dedication ceremony, but a letter was sent instead.
“The letter was read to the students. A bronze plaque was created and a tree planted,” Bonner said.
The tree is now gone and plaque relocated, but Bonner said students and staff still understand the importance of their school’s name. At 1 p.m. today, the school is holding a commemoration service in Immaculate Conception Church.
Both women said they plan to feature JFK in their lesson plans today so students learn and understand more about the country’s only Catholic president.
Bonner, who enjoys researching and learning more about Kennedy, said she has been asked to participate in the service. She couldn’t be happier to read a short biography of his life.
“For (this) day to have gone unnoticed, that would have upset me,” said Bonner. “We should celebrate his legacy. It’s something we should be proud of.”