'Standing Next to History' at a moment that changed everything

Standing Next to History panelist Jim Martin was a reporter on Nov. 22, 1963

BY ROB HEDELT / THE FREE LANCE-STAR

WHEN Jack McNairy rode his motorcycle into the crowded city of Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, it quickly became clear to the 18-year-old high school student that going all the way into downtown wasn’t going to work. There were just too many people. His mother may have gone there that morning to catch a glimpse of John and Jackie Kennedy, but young McNairy quickly changed gears and decided to park just off the Stemmons Freeway not far from Dealey Plaza to catch a peek. When he saw the presidential motorcade come flying by moments later, seemingly doing 60 with an agent holding on in the back with a gun in his hand, the young man’s initial reaction was, “How rude. They aren’t waving or anything.”The reality of that day, when the country’s young president was shot and killed 50 years ago this month, would become real to McNairy all too quickly.
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Germanna history Asst. Prof. Stuart Smith explained why JFK was in Dallas.



Dr. Ann Woolford talks to students and community members about JFK's death 

Part of the crowd at the Standing Next to History JFK panel discussion.

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Left to right, Dan Carter, Stuart Smith, Jim Martin, Jack McNairy

 

Germanna President David A. Sam recorded a message for the audience

Germanna history instructor Dan Carter