other, there existed a beauti
ful feeling of common course
and respect.
It was about 12:30 when the
honorary guard took its posi
tion on the steps of the Capi
tol, that the news of Oswald's
assassination reached the
crowd. Only 1^ hours later we
saw in the distance John F.
Kennedy's coffin carried into
the Rotunda. It was deadly
.silent. At 3 p.m. the digna-
ytaries left the building and
the procession was over.
Suddenly, some people out
of the crowd who had watched
the procession dispersed,
tried to push themselves in
our lines which had, by now,
grown to about 7 or 8 blocks.
At first they left after
enought harrassing, but soon
the pushers became the major
ity and in a few seconds I
saw people losing their tem
pers and calling for police.
The police were totally help
less and I was afraid a stam
pede could break out momen
tarily.
We were pushed back and
ifcorth; a police force formed
a circle desperately trying
to keep control. One police
officer who recognized us,
led us to the right direct-
tion. Soon we found ourselves
crushed - but still standing
on the steps of the Capitol.
From there it took yet another
2 hours of waiting before we
reached the two pillars lead
ing to the Rotunda's entrance.
Entering I smelled an ex
tremely heavy scent of flow
ers. The floral fragrance of
every funeral. I squinted my
eyes for the light was bright,
reflecting the colorful rib
bons and gold and silver let
terings on the wreaths. My
emotions got the better of me
and I started to cry. No one
pushed, no one shoved, all
were silent. Then we entered
the dome, dimly lit, huge and
still, only the shuffling of
passing footsteps echoed in a
monotoness rhythm.
In silence I looked at his
coffin, under the American
flag and I saw not just a cof
fin, but I felt stronger than
ever the "spirit". The spirit
of freedom, the spirit of in
dividuality and courage.
Within myself I whispered:
God save America. Thank you,
God, that you have made me
part of this wonderful coun
try. Thank you, God, that at
last I "belong".
Thelma Hillman
New York.
GEVRAAGD:
Ind. dame voor hulp i.d.
huis houding en verzorg. 4
meisjes (10-8-5-4) waarvan
moeder buitenl. gaat. Cond.
nader o.t.k. Brieven onder
no. 102 van dit blad.
