Free Letters to Jackie by Ellen Fitzpatrick

the announcement of his death came it was my duty to lower our flag to half mast.
    I can not explain the emotion I felt and the saddness in my heart at our loss as I lowered the Flag. Never even with the loss of several of my family have I been more deeply touched than with the loss of President Kennedy.
    I only pray that this life taken so unjustly has not gone in vain and our nation survive the loss.
    Sincerely,
Mrs. Frances Nash
----
    NOVEMBER 22, 1963
ST. LUKE’S MISSION
SHAGELUK, ALASKA
    Dear Mrs. Kennedy:
    I want to convey to you my own personal grief at the news of the death of the President. The news came as an unbelievable shock and brought me to my knees with a prayer for your husband and you and your children.
    This evening at seven our parish hall was full as we prayed and celebrated a Requiem Eucharist for the President. During the day I visited most of the homes in our small Indian village and everywhere I went I could see the deep sorrow and concern everyone feels at this time. Several people walked over two miles at ten degrees below zero to attend the Requiem. Your husband is loved and respected by the people of Shageluk.
    Please know that you and your children shall be constantly in our prayers in the days to come.
    God bless you.
    Faithfully in our Lord,
The Rev. David Keller
Priest-in-charge
    ----
    NOVEMBER 23, 1963
    Dear Mrs J. F. Kennedy & family
    We send our most sincere sympathy. It seems as though a part of us all has died and I believe most others feel the same.
    We have four girls (Lisa Marie 41/2, Monique 31/2, Michelle 21/2, Je’Neanne 1 and one expected January 19th). The evening of Friday November 22nd and in a May Co. window our oldest stopped fast—there were a group of people standing in front of a picture of President J. F. Kennedy with his birth and death dates. She pressed her face upagainst the window and looked at the picture for what seemed like a very long time. She turned and looked at us. (I hadn’t realized at the time that she had been paying attention to the T.V. announcements during the day but apparently she had). I believe our little one expressed the thoughts of millions although only 41/2 she came out with a child’s sincere thoughts that we will never forget and am sure all those present won’t either.
    “Mama, look at his face—he’s so good—maybe God didn’t think we loved him enough. Why did someone shoot and hurt him?”
    By the time she had finished, tear stained faces turned our way—she looked for an answer—I was so taken with her thoughts that I just shook my head and said “I don’t know” and tried holding back the tears. One lady stepped up in front of us and said “How old is she?” I told her 41/2. “If a child of 41/2 can feel that way—then how much more should we grown ups really think and feel responsible for the horrible thing that has happened in our country.”
    He tried to do so much for so many—“maybe God didn’t think we loved him enough”
    May the sympathy of your friends help you throughout your sorrow. May God give you hope and courage to meet each new tomorrow.
    With our most sincere sympathy,
Mr & Mrs. Roland A. Fiola
Lisa, Monique, Michelle and Je’Neanne
Fiola
    (My husband was born in Fall River, Mass) and we know how the people of that area must feel. May God bless you and yours through both tradgies suffered this year.
----
    LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
NOV. 29, 1963
    Dear Mrs. Kennedy—
    Enclosed is a copy of a letter written by our son, Larry Jackson.
    I believe that it is self-explanatory; an expression of grief from one young American.
    May I offer our personal salute to you, Mrs. Kennedy, for your singular courage and quiet fortitude during these dark days? You are a splendid example to us all.
    Sincerely,
Mrs. Whitley Ray
    Saint Mary’s College
California
November 22, 1963
    Dear Mom and Dad,
    Why?
    He towered above them all
    He exuded greatness, overshadowing opposition
    He had vitality, drive, ambition, charm
    He