Tuesday, May 10, 2011

John F. Kennedy, Jr. Salutes


Stan Stearns’ photograph of John F. Kennedy, Jr. saluting his murdered father’s casket as it passes stirs deep emotion in the soul of the viewer. At the young age of four, John Jr. (as his father affectionately called him) had to grieve in the public eye. Already a sad day for America, the image of the small boy saluting his father’s casket as it passed only further cemented November 25, 1963 as one of the most tragic days in our history (1963: John F Kennedy is Laid to Rest).

In a different but similarly touching goodbye, JFK, Jr.’s salute is the opposite of Kate Kollwitz’s “Woman with Dead Child”. The younger generation is saying goodbye to the older generation. Some would argue that the loss of younger life tends to be a sadder occasion than the loss of an older person. However, by looking at this picture, it is hard to deem one loss sadder than the other. JFK, Jr. lost his hero and will never have the opportunity to bond with or know his father.  One cannot deny how unfortunate that prospect is. JFK was also a young father whose death was unexpected, and it did not help that he was assassinated in the middle of the street. Whether the child is saying goodbye to his father or the mother is saying goodbye to her child, both situations are tragic and equally saddening. Although this is a very tragic goodbye, it is important because JFK, Jr. was able to embark on the road to closure. Closure is necessary for anyone saying goodbye to a loved one because closure allows the individual to move on and live a full life. 

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