Video: JFK Is Remebered In Columbus

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Most Americans had an emotional response to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Either they loved him, admired his youthful energy, or they hated him. Or even distrusted him because he was the first Catholic to claim the presidency. In either case, his assassination brought to the surface emotions that has stayed with us 50 years later.

As many reflect on the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy while in Dallas Texas, one thing is certain those who we spoke with will never forget what they were doing at the time.

“I was in my kitchen making pecan pies,” said Erma Hamilton, Columbus.

“I was in my home. The television was on and I heard the announcement and I went and sat down to watch it,” said Mary Linn, Columbus.

Columbus resident Romell Barry was a 5th grader at Union Academy at the time, for the young Barry, the shooting had not sunk in yet.

“A 4th grade teacher down the hall stuck her head in the door and told us your president has been shot. A few minutes later she stuck her head in the door again, your president is dead,” said Barry.

In addition to the president being shot, one person told us she was concerned for Mrs. Jacqualine Kennedy.

“I felt so sorry for her I could feel her grief. I felt so sorry for her. I could feel her grief. I could just imagine how she was feeling,” said Linn.

“Unbelievable that somebody would do that to our president,” said Hamilton.

One thing was certain. Where ever you were at the time and whatever you were doing, the happenings of that day would forever be etched into the minds of the American people.

“It was a life changing event. Not only for me but for the rest of the world,” said Barry.

Some Columbus residents also remember the arrest of Lee Harvey Oswald and Oswald’s death at the hands of Dallas night club owner Jack Ruby.