June 8, 1968 RFK: The Train to DC

[electric_blue68]

Well, the last part of this tragic saga.

(I said I felt that the glaring differences between RFK as a pontential President, and Trump as President was increasing my feelings about this whole event post Jan 6. Now that drumphf has been indicted again - I feel a bit more settled. Interesting)

I wanted to see the Funeral Procession that day. My folks thought I looked too pale - I certainly had had very little sleep since waking up to the initial news on June 5 soon after it happened. So the compromise was sending my dad with me.

As we walked west across the street from Macy's on 34rh St there was a big, heavy camera perched on the metal awning of the side door nearest 5th Ave. We ended up close to 7th Ave. People lined both north, and south of 34th.

Finally the silver hearst rolls slowly by with a trail of other vehicles behind it. Many of the people in them going to board the Funeral Train. I take a photo or two. The crowd totaly silent.

We head back home. I keep an eye on when the train will depart. While I was going to watch I had to study for either general end of school year tests, or the PSATs (College bound tests). I was resentful having to divide my attention.

The train was one of the more poignant events I've ever witnessed. It was so movingly beautiful that so many people, and different kinds of people stood at the various stations, and by the tracks.

There was the additional tragedy of a few people killed, injured who stood on the opposite side of the tracks and hit by a north bound train. Yikes.

So many people, so many stations etc. And the handmade signs! The most moving thing to me were people in Philadelphia singing "The Battle Hymn of The Republic". Somehow I had the thought it was a professional choir. Decades later I found out it was folks from some of that city's Black neighborhoods there to pay their respects. They did something wonderful for all of us watching/listening.

Finally they arrive at Arlington, and soon it's over.

And on some level still unbelievable even after 55 years.

[yonder]

1. That was a hell of a summer.

[electric_blue68]

6. Hooo boy, yeah! We on family vacation in Aug watched the Democratic Convention in our hotel room!

[amerikat]

2. I watched the train slowly go by in...

Hamilton Township NJ.

[electric_blue68]

5. Wow... by yourself, or with family, or friends?

[amerikat]

7. I was a little kid. Whole family was there.

The shock of hero's getting shot was just beyond the pale. I knew that intuitively.

[Dave in VA]

3. I was 15 years old

watched it all on television. My brother and I, just the day before, been handing out bumper stickers and flyers for Bobby. Mother woke me up to tell me the news of his shooting.

Watched the train procession on TV and wept like a baby.

Lots of thought on a day like today.

[electric_blue68]

4. Oh. You handed out flyers for him! I was planning to volunteer....

when he arrived in NYC for the NYS Primary! (12 days after California 😔 )

I didn't go the Greek American Parade ('68) were he was bc I was kinda of blaise about parades at 15 myself, and April weather in NYC is sketchy. I figured I'd see him when he arrived later on. Still sigh about that.

Lots of tears those whole four days!