JohnPAKP65
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2013
- Messages
- 237
Today is the 60th anniversary of the assassination of John Kennedy. I was a 2nd classman and would like to share a moving tribute from that day written by a fellow alumnus. This appeared in an Academy publication at that time named Polaris. The picture depicts approximately 750 cadets who stood at attention over looking Long Island Sound for a 50 gun salute. The New York Times reports it was in mid-50° for the day but it was a 14 mph wind during the tribute.
As I Sit Here Now
by Dennis J. Rog 67
As I sit here now in silent thought
Upon a cold November day,
I think about this day of sadness,
A day to mourn, a day to pray.
My heart and mind seem almost heavy,
My feelings can’t be well-expressed,
They seem quite numb and almost empty
As here I sit, a bit depressed.
As I look up from my window,
A sight of sadness meets my eyes;
Against the sky, our country’s banner,
At half-mast, stately flies.
Slave of the wind, it whips and ripples
And now hangs still—its master rests
To join the world in silent sadness
To honor him, our nation’s best
A man of honor, a man of courage,
A leader in his every way,
In dignity, in dedication
Respected and prayed for all this day.
We are a country, both strong and free,
With rights for which we proudly stand;
Yet, why have we let one so great
Meet tragic death in his own land?
Now the bugles blow, the cannon shout,
The Flags are lowered, the bells cry out,
The soldiers march, the prayers are said
The leader of our land is dead.
As I Sit Here Now
by Dennis J. Rog 67
As I sit here now in silent thought
Upon a cold November day,
I think about this day of sadness,
A day to mourn, a day to pray.
My heart and mind seem almost heavy,
My feelings can’t be well-expressed,
They seem quite numb and almost empty
As here I sit, a bit depressed.
As I look up from my window,
A sight of sadness meets my eyes;
Against the sky, our country’s banner,
At half-mast, stately flies.
Slave of the wind, it whips and ripples
And now hangs still—its master rests
To join the world in silent sadness
To honor him, our nation’s best
A man of honor, a man of courage,
A leader in his every way,
In dignity, in dedication
Respected and prayed for all this day.
We are a country, both strong and free,
With rights for which we proudly stand;
Yet, why have we let one so great
Meet tragic death in his own land?
Now the bugles blow, the cannon shout,
The Flags are lowered, the bells cry out,
The soldiers march, the prayers are said
The leader of our land is dead.
