First Inagural Adress
Thus spoke John Fitzgerald Kennedy, thirty fifth president of the United States. He was an extraordinary man with confidence, goals and the most incredible power. Of Irish descent, Kennedy was an extremely talented and gifted man with a political past and a close knit family. Kennedy pushed through the limits with set goals for himself and his life. Only with those high standards and incredible goals, did Mr. Kennedy achieve the impossible as he did. He was the first Cathlioc to ever enter office, and the youngest man, as well. As in the quote, he believed America was a place for freedom and teamwork, and that in order for America to be run at its smoothest, a strong leader and millions of enthusiastic Americans had to follow. John Kennedy was always a studious child who loved the arts, sports and politics. Even though he had an extremely dynamic political career, it didn't mean that he didn't have fun. As a child growing up with his family, he achieved a high sense of confidence, love and the belief to do anything that life dished out in front of him. With the family morals he received, he was able to tackle the many politicians that underestimated him, his constant health problems and the job of running the most powerful country in the world.
Many times in Kennedy's life were life or death moments. A powerful fight for survival attacked him down in the South Pacific at a young age, and a health problem so serious that it could have kept him from doing the job some people only dream of. Those many memories, and others that also occurred in his life were only moments that proved how strong and able John Kennedy was to run our country.
With each carefully planned campaign, his confidence and power grew and from each life altering moment, he grew as an individual, intellectually, spiritually and most importantly he grew more able to lead and pave the way for many Americans.
- family friend
Even though John F. Kennedy was a very determined young man, he had a little help. The Kennedy family wasnít new in the political spotlight. They werenít a family that had been unknown until Kennedy became president. His family had originated from Ireland, and were each involved with politics one way or another.
His father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. was a millionaire with a very powerful role in the government. He was an ambassador for the United States. He was a tough man with one motto: Victory and Courage. He followed that motto and passed it down to his children.
Patrick Kennedy was Joseph's father, also a tough and motivated man who raised his children with respect and dignity. He sent his children to the finest schools and excepted prosperous futures from each of his kids. Patrick Kennedy was born in Ireland and fought anti-Irish prejudice and later became a political leader in East Boston. He also campaigned for governor with little John watching him.
Joseph Kennedy's wife, Rose Kennedy was also the daughter of John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald. Honey Fitz was once the mayor of Boston.
Along with tough expectations, John was born into a life of money and riches. Joseph Kennedy went to Harvard and expected the same for his children. He was involved with the president and the pope, and also became a large part of World War II, after John was born. You could say that John had politics in his blood, and in a way he did.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29th 1917 in Brookline, Massachusets. He attended Dexter School in Brookline , and moved before he was able to graduate. He was born to a family of wealth and power. As a little child he sensed of his families wealth and power but only experienced it when he was older. He just loved to have fun and wrestle with his brother Joe Jr. Joe was about two years older than John. Later in his life, John realized that Joe was always given authority when his father was away, and that always sparked rivalry between him and his older brother.
As John grew, his family did too. In addition to his mom, dad, and brother, John had to welcome Rosemary, Kathleen, Eunice, Pat, Jean, Bobby and Teddy. Even though a large family seemed discouraging at times, it rarely bothered John, who was know called Jack by his siblings and parents.
Rose and Joseph gave allowances to their children, but never gave them more than the average child in the neighborhood. Along with that philosophy, Rose believed in corporal punishment. Even though the family was strict, Jack had a great time with his family in their summer and winter homes.
In the summer, the family would travel to Hyannis Port at Cape Cod, Massachussetts. The home was overflowing with activities for the family to do. Tennis courts, sailing and swimming were some of Jack's favorites. Touch football was a favorite among his family, and was practiced whenever the family got together in an open area.
Jack's first sailing boat was named the Victura. After Teddy was born the family purchased a larger boat named the Onemore.
In the cold winters, the Kennedy's would visit Palm Beach, Florida. Along with the daily routines, a personal trainer was always on hand to make sure the children stayed in top physical shape. They were made to swim laps, do chin ups and practice their boxing.
Even though summers in Cape Cod and winters in Palm Beach were truly something to look forward too, the family had to move to a new neighborhood called West Bronx, New York. It would become their new home, and a place that the Kennedy clan could call home for the rest of their lives. Sadly, Jack wasn't able to continue schooling in Dexter School in Brookline. It was a shame, because Jack had made a name for himself as an excellent and motivated athlete. All through his elementary schooling, he would spend hours every day reading and debating with his dad and eldest brother on the latest issues.
When he turned thirteen, young Jack went to Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut. In Canterbury, he tried out for the football team but was rejected because he didnít weight enough to join the team. Unfortunately, Jack caught appendicitis during his spring break. Due to his appendicitis he was unable to finish his spring semester, therefore, becoming a student in one of England's finest private schools, Choate college prep school. During his years in Choate, teacherí's reported that his grades were above average in English and History, but was doing poorly in all of the foreign languages, especially Latin. Chemistry and Biology were too boring for him. He constantly had conferences with teachers about his grades.
During any kind of holiday or break, Jack would go back to New York to visit his family and continue his long conversations with Joe about the latest issues in their families library. When his family was gathered around, they would play their traditional touch football.
In Choate, there was a reward trip to England for good grades and for good citizenship. Jack and his roommate decided to work hard and by the end of their senior year they had been rewarded with the trip to England. Because Jack achieved such high scores, he was accepted by Princeton. Jack graduated from Choate in 1935.
Before Jack went to Princeton, his father decided it would be best for Jack to see another part of the world. He decided his son should experience more and not live in such a safe and secluded environment. Obeying his fathers' wish, Jack travelled to London to study in the London School of Economics under world famous socialist professor Harold Laski. In his hectic trip in London he met many interesting people. He enjoyed the discussions and short conversations with scholars, revolutionaries, economists and writers from the British Empire. From his many encounters with those important people, he understood economic affairs hands on. During his trip, he fell ill with jaundice and had to leave London and go to Arizona to regain his health during the winter. He had to stay on Princeton's sick list shortly after the term started. After his health was regained, he went back to Princeton to start his college year. Shortly after he fell ill with juandice again and had to switch colleges. He decided to follow in his dad's footsteps and go to Harvard.
In Harvard he tried out for football, swimming and golf, making all three teams. This kind of participating showed everyone that Jack wasn't just a goof off or a student. He was an all around type of person. Being very motivated, he tried out for football and was cut from the varsity team because he was underweight. He joined the junior varsity instead and because of his aggressive playing, he suffered a back injury.
During his first two years at Harvard his grades were a "C" average. He even won a position on Harvard's acclaimed paper the Harvard Crimson, and became a member of the exclusive clubs. During his summer vacation, he visited his dad in Europe and then returned to Harvard in the fall of 1938.
This time in Europe was very hectic, because Hitler was quickly taking over Europe. World War II was brewing slowly, and it had to be stopped. This was indeed a crucial time for the ambassadors, trying to figure out what was going to happen next and how to improve the conditions.
Jack was keeping up with every detail, writing his dad every day to keep up with the latest details. Jack tried to persuade the Harvard authorities to take his second half of his junior year in Europe to keep up with the Nazis' movements. They were convinced, and when the Nazi troops were occupying Checkoslavakia on March 1939 he met up with his dad. Being only twenty two, he was sent to Paris to receive detailed reports to send to his dad. During his whole time there he made predictions about what would happen in Europe and amazingly he was right. He paid a visit to Russia and got a first hand look at communism.
He made predictions about America, and the way her problems could be solved. He had goals not only for himself, but for everything he was involved with, and this trip helped him realize that. He want back to his spot in Paris and over time vital information would pass him, he would act like a spy and send the information to his father.
In September of 1939, a few weeks after Germany invaded Poland, Jack went back to Harvard for his senior year. His European trip not only encouraged him to sign up for additional courses in government and economics, but made him popular among his peers.
His grades climbed to a "B" average and he wrote editorials for the Crimson. His goal for his senior year was to achieve a degree with honors in political science. In order to achieve that he had to write a thesis on the European crisis. In it he made predictions, which later proved to be right. Graduated from political science and Harvard in 1940.
A 23 year old Jack received such a warm review for his paper, that he decided to print it in book form. His book was called, Why England Slept.
The book was an immediate success and made the best seller list. His father sent copies to the Queen of England, the Prime Minister and many other economists.
After his book was published and all the hype fizzled out, Jack tried out for the Air Corps, but his back injury kept him from joining. Disappointed by the news, he decided to ask a physical therapist for help, and with their instruction he won a spot in the navy.
Late in 1942, at 25, he was assigned to training duty at Patrol Torpedo Boat School. It took 6 long, tiring months to learn how to handle all of their boats and equipment. In early 1943, he was shipped out to San Franscisco to join the vast sea/air ground attack against Japan that was taking place in the South Pacific. He was based on the island of Pendora, south of Georgia. He was made a skipper on the PT 109 with its crew of 2 other officials and 10 enlisted men.
By August 1943, their boat had sailed through thirty one missions and successfully. On their thirty first mission, they hit a sour note. Their mission started on August 2, 1943 when the boat was forty miles off their base. A Japenese destroyer smashed they PT 109 in half, sending explosion sprays all through the ship. Waves of fire and gallons of gas were sent through the mess, paralyzing some. It took Kennedy and his partner two hours to reach the others. Kennedy took charge and swam for over three miles. When they reached a small, uninhabited island, the survivors rested. There were no deaths from this shipwreck. Kennedy discovered another island, and he swam to it. After doing some investigating, he discovered a canoe. On the way back to the other island, he was caught in a rainstorm and natives stopped to help him. With the natives' help, they were able to be rescued by another PT boat. For his courageous behavior, Jack received the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Those rewards ment a lot to Kennedy, and were a token of his courageous and incredible motivation.
Once his first tour of duty had been completed, Kennedy volunteered to stay a second tour in the South Pacific. His dream was shattered when he discovered that he contracted Malaria, becoming forty pounds underweight.
Sick of his back problems, he decided to go to a hospital near Hyannis Port for treatment of injuries. So, late in 1943, treatment to repair a ruptured disc from the collision began. He spent the early months of 1944 cooped up in the Chelsea Naval Hospital. To make matters worse for Jack, he learned of the devastating news that his elder brother Joe Jr. died flying a plane in the skies for the Navy. He had earned his credential soon after the Japenese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Soon after those news, he had heard of Kathleen's husbands' death. It was a very sad time for Kennedy with much grieving to be done.
Silver lining lined this dark cloud that hovered over Kennedy. The war was slowly ending and Europe began the slow process of healing from the constant stabbing of war in 1945.
His back slowly healed, and he resumed his life. Jack walked out of the hospital, fresh, good looking, 28 years old and a millionaire. He looked back at his education and decided to try journalism.
In New York, he applied for a job as a reporter on the Hearst International News Service, and got the position. His first assignment as a reporter sent him to San Francisco to the United Nations at the meeting of the war aftermath. Because his job called for it, he travelled through Europe and reported on what was going on in the chaotic and fast paced world of politics. As his experience grew, Jack felt tired and bored with the job, that they placed on his hands. Instead of reporting on the other peopleís experiences, he would like to be the one making the news and having all of the experiences.
He returned from Europe in 1945 and resigned from his reporter job. After visiting his family, Jack decided he should pursue politics.
Many factors contributed to his decision to become a politician. He felt cut out for the political life, and felt ready to hurtle into a world of fast talking politicians, and the many debates and the greed and competition that centered around politics. The long conversations that he frequently held with his dad were all about continuing the political tradition.
With the belief that he could do anything and his dad's ancient motto of victory and courage he decided to jump into politics. Rumors were always a big thing in Washigton, and one caught Jack's interest. There was a vacant spot in the Congress, and Jack thought that this was a perfect place to start his political future. Even though he had limited political experience, Jack decided to run for the 11th Congressional District. He ignored all of his opponents and their jokes about his age and political experience. And with high spirits, Jack hid his fear behind his smile and broad approach.
He started his campaign early. He rang doorbells, he cased the neighborhood, badgering votaries and taking time to organize an efficient staff that would help him with the task of running for Congressman. Jack was shy and had problems going up to people and starting up conversations. This campaign improved him, and he forced himself to speak to people in a friendly manner, and pretty soon became a reaction, something he rarely thought about.
As he learned to cope with campaign life he learned about all of the other nine Democrats running against him. At the time the Republicanís weren't extremely powerful, and the Democrats were for sure going to win the vacant spot. Nasty rumors were spread by the other candidates, and the term "poor little rich kid" was used often. Ignoring it all, Jack toured the districts day and night, would visit every business, every neighborhood. Speaking manner quickly improved, and so did his self assurance. Gave out five to six house parties every day to become more popular with the voters.
Surely enough, Jack became congressman for Boston when he was only 29.