Where were you?

My word! The deer flies are horrendous!! I was just attacked multiple times on the short walk to the mailbox. Insects weren't my intended topic for today, though, so moving right along....

I really enjoyed Bob's most recent post. It got me to thinking about the same events and what I remembered about them. Hope you don't mind, Bob, if I use the same format. In other words, I'm basically stealing your post and putting in my own words!

JFK assassination, Nov. 22, 1963. Like Bob, I was also in kindergarten. Not only that, we were in the same class! (except I was still 5) I'm ashamed to admit my only memories are of the endless television coverage, thus knocking out any programs that would interest a five year old.

MLK and RFK assassinations, both in 1968. I have no distinct memories associated with these events. I'm sure I was aware of them, though, since my father owned and managed a radio station which included broadcast news as well as music.

Moon landing, July 16, 1969. This one I do remember! My father loved "sciency" stuff and was fascinated with the space program. I can't remember what the moon phase was or what the weather was like, but it seems like I went into the backyard and gazed that direction in awe. My father died the following year. I'm glad he lived to see man reach the moon.

Death of Elvis, August 16, 1977. I was at Hodges Gardens, attending choir camp for the college I attended when one of our campers was bitten by a spider. Several of us drove to nearby Many, LA to have the bite checked out (a camper from the previous year had a spider bite which caused problems, therefore the extra caution). While sitting in the waiting area someone came through and announced that Elvis was dead. Typical teenagers, we were thrilled to be able to carry the news back to the rest of our group.

I don't remember anything specific about the Olympic Hockey victory of 1980, but there was another event that year that I do remember. On December 8, 1980 John Lennon was shot to death outside of his apartment building in New York City. I was living in Knoxville, TN at the time having transferred from the small college in Louisiana to the University of Tennessee. I watched The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson most nights and they broke into the programming to make the announcement that Lennon was dead. I remember thinking how sad it was since his solo career was really taking off. Though not much of a Yoko fan, I still felt bad for her and their young son.

The Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, January 28, 1986. I had been married less than a year and was working in the trust department of a bank. Someone came into our office and made the announcement. I remember thinking how horrible that so many school children were watching live since there was a teacher on the flight for the first time.

September 11, 2001. My birthday. I was home doing an exercise video when my sister (the news junkie) called. After blurting out a quick "happy birthday" she told me to turn on the TV. We stood there watching as the second plane hit, having no idea at that point what was actually unfolding right before our eyes. I had to peel myself away from the TV in order to attend a Bible study which was having its first meeting that day at my church. Of course the coverage was still on when I got home. I believe life changed in many ways that day. Very sad.