O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.
John F. Kennedy would be 100 years old this year, and had he survived, I believe we would be living in a different world. When I was a student at the University of New Hampshire in 1960, I met John Fitzgerald Kennedy. He was something special. He looked like a president and spoke to the crowd in a way that captured the audience. When he spoke, the country took notice. He was a true hero. His service in World War II won him the admiration of the nation. The way he saved his crew was a true test of courage.
I was a young boy growing up in Massachusetts when he ran for Congress. It was an easy win for him as he had everything going in the right direction. His run for Senate was more difficult as his opponent Henry Cabot Lodge was a man of stature with a record of service. JFK won that election and the best was yet to come.
On this, the 100th anniversary of his birth, we always wonder what might have been. His life was taken way too early and in our minds, he is forever young. His campaign to become our president was a long and hard one. New Hampshire played a key role and the battle over his religion was hard to overcome. At that time, it was hard to believe that a Catholic man would ever be elected president of the United States.
Kennedy was a star in the first presidential debate and the election was as close as one can be. When the results were in, John F. Kennedy became the youngest man ever to be elected to be President of the United States. The words in his inaugural address will live forever – “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country” – a real change from what we hear today.
President Kennedy is the reason why I am involved in public service. His work as our president made me believe that a single person can make a difference. No one is perfect but some are given a gift that helps others feel good about themselves and their country. He had that gift.
When I travel to Washington, DC, I try to travel to Arlington Cemetery to visit his grave. As I stand there, I ask the question “what could we have done had his life not been taken so early?” The lives of many people were moved in a positive way by his message and personal charm. I am left with this one thought as this 100 year anniversary goes by. If you believe that someone can make a difference, then the hope for a better day always exists.
This is what we lost on the tragic day in Dallas. We must rekindle that spirit and improve the lives of the people we serve. In this way, we fulfill our American dream.
Want to get up on your Soap Box? ManchesterInkLink.com welcomes your opinion. Send submissions to robidouxnews@gmail.com
Sen. Lou D’Allesandro is from Manchester and has represented the people of District 20 for nine terms. For the 2015-2016 legislative session he is Vice Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee and sits on the Finance and Capital Budget Committees. You can reach Sen. D’Allensandro at dalas@leg.state.nh.us. He is a regular contributor to Manchester Ink Link with his NH Senate Report.
