PART 22 I AM AN OVERCOMER

A Chapter by rondo

What are God’s Memorials?

Remembering God’s Memorials

Has there been something that has taken place in your life or that you have been a witness of, good or bad, that stands out in your memory?

I remember an event that not only shocked me but has cast doubt in my mind as to the investigation of the most infamous murder that took place in the USA. Any idea what I’m referring to? Here’s an article that pertains to this.

NOVEMBER 22, 1963: DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT

Shortly after noon on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas. By the fall of 1963, President John F. Kennedy and his political advisers were preparing for the next presidential campaign. Although he had not formally announced his candidacy, it was clear that President Kennedy was going to [run,] and he seemed confident about his chances for re-election.

At the end of September, the [President] traveled west, speaking in nine different states in less than a week. The trip was meant to put a spotlight on natural resources and conservation efforts. But JFK also used it to sound out themes�"such as education, national security, and world peace�"for his run in 1964.

Campaigning in Texas

A month later, the [President] addressed Democratic gatherings in Boston and Philadelphia. Then, on November 12, he held the first important political planning session for the upcoming election year. At the meeting, JFK stressed the importance of winning Florida and Texas and talked about his plans to visit both states in the next two weeks.

Mrs. Kennedy would accompany him on the swing through Texas, which would be her first extended public appearance since the loss of their baby, Patrick, in August. On November 21, the [President] and first lady departed on Air Force One for the two-day, five-city tour of Texas.

President Kennedy was aware that a feud among party leaders in Texas could jeopardize his chances of carrying the state in 1964, and one of his aims for the trip was to bring Democrats together. He also knew that a relatively small but vocal group of extremists was contributing to the political tensions in Texas and would likely make its presence felt�"particularly in Dallas, where US Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson had been physically attacked a month earlier after making a speech there. Nonetheless, JFK seemed to relish the prospect of leaving Washington, getting out among the people and into the political fray.

The first stop was San Antonio. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Governor John B. Connally, and Senator Ralph W. Yarborough led the welcoming party. They accompanied the [President] to Brooks Air Force Base for the dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center. Continuing on to Houston, he addressed the League of United Latin American [Citizens] and spoke at a testimonial dinner for Congressman Albert Thomas before ending the day in Fort Worth.

Morning in Fort Worth

A light rain [fell] on Friday morning, November 22, but a crowd of several thousand stood in the parking lot outside the Texas Hotel where the Kennedys had spent the night. A platform was set [up, and the President], wearing no protection against the weather, came out to make some brief remarks. “There are no faint hearts in Fort Worth,” he began, “and I appreciate your being here this morning. Mrs. Kennedy is organizing herself. It takes longer, but, of course, she looks better than we do when she does it.” He went on to talk about the nation’s need for being “second to none” in defense [and space, for continued growth in the economy,] and “the willingness of citizens of the United States to assume the burdens of leadership.” The warmth of the [audience’s response was palpable as the President] reached out to shake hands amidst a sea of smiling faces.

Back inside the [hotel, the President] spoke at a breakfast of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, focusing on military preparedness. “We are still the keystone in the arch of freedom,” he said. “We will continue to do…our [duty,] and the people of Texas will be in the lead.”

On to Dallas

The presidential party left the hotel and went by motorcade to Carswell Air Force Base for the thirteen-minute flight to Dallas. Arriving at Love Field, President and Mrs. Kennedy disembarked and immediately walked toward a fence where a crowd of well-wishers had gathered, and they spent several minutes shaking hands. The first lady received a bouquet of red roses, which she brought with her to the waiting limousine.

Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie, were already seated in the open convertible as the Kennedys entered and sat behind them. Since it was no longer raining, the plastic bubble top had been left off. Vice President and Mrs. Johnson occupied another car in the motorcade. The procession left the airport and traveled along a ten-mile route that wound through downtown Dallas on the way to the Trade Mart where the President was scheduled to speak at a luncheon.

The Assassination

Crowds of excited people lined the streets and waved to the Kennedys. The car turned off Main Street at Dealey Plaza around 12:30 p.m. As it was [passed] the Texas School Book Depository, gunfire suddenly reverberated in the plaza. Bullets struck the [President’s neck and head,] and he slumped over toward Mrs. Kennedy. The governor was shot in his back.

The car sped off to Parkland Memorial [Hospital,] just a few minutes away. But little could be done for the President. A Catholic priest was summoned to administer the last [rites at] 1:00 p.m. John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead. Though seriously wounded, Governor Connally would recover.

The [President’s] body was brought to Love Field and placed on Air Force One. Before the plane took off, a grim-faced Lyndon B. Johnson stood in the tight, crowded compartment and took the oath of office, administered by US District Court Judge Sarah Hughes. The brief ceremony took place at 2:38 p.m.

Less than an hour earlier, police had arrested Lee Harvey Oswald, a recently hired employee at the Texas School Book Depository. He was being held for the assassination of President Kennedy and the fatal shooting, shortly afterward, of Patrolman J. D. Tippit on a Dallas street. On Sunday morning, November 24, Oswald was scheduled to be transferred from police headquarters to the county jail. Viewers across America watching the live television coverage suddenly saw a man aim a pistol and fire at [point-blank] range. The assailant was identified as Jack Ruby, a local nightclub owner. Oswald died two hours later at Parkland Hospital.

The President’s Funeral

That same day, President Kennedy’s flag-draped casket was moved from the White House to the Capitol on a caisson drawn by six grey horses, accompanied by one riderless black horse. At [Mrs.] Kennedy’s request, the cortege and other ceremonial details were modeled on the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. Crowds lined Pennsylvania [Avenue,] and many wept openly as the caisson passed. During the 21 hours that the [President’s] body lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda, about 250,000 people filed by to pay their respects.

On Monday, November 25, [1963,] President Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral was attended by heads of state and representatives from more than 100 countries, with untold millions more watching on television. Afterward, at the grave site, [Mrs.] Kennedy and her husband’s brothers, Robert and Edward, lit an eternal flame. Perhaps the most indelible images of the day were the salute to his father given by little John F. Kennedy Jr. (whose third birthday it was), daughter Caroline kneeling next to her mother at the [President’s] bier, and the extraordinary grace and dignity shown by Jacqueline Kennedy.

As people throughout the nation and the world struggled to make sense of a senseless act and to articulate their feelings about President Kennedy’s life and legacy, many recalled these words from his inaugural address: All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days, nor in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this administration. Nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.¹⁵

Some might call an event like this a memorial.

Memorial

something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday.¹⁵¹

What about your personal life? Is there something that happened that you’ll never forget?

I had an unsettling event that involved numerous accusations from a fellow taxi driver who accused me of soliciting favors to increase my taxi business income. When I heard about this, along with two other allegations, I went to this person, who happened to be the chair of a committee that addressed such matters, and discussed each one with him in detail. Nonetheless, he filed a complaint and spread the word amongst the other drivers about what he alleged I was doing.

I realized that I had to gather written testimony from those I was accused of conspiring to gain an increase in fares. Documents were formulated concerning two complaints, with signatures indicating that what was inferred was false. As for the third complaint, giving free rides to specific individuals, this wasn’t contended because most of them were people I’d known for over twenty years, having interacted with them on many occasions whom I considered as friends. This practice wasn’t unusual among the other taxi owners/drivers.

As to the third charge, I secured written testimony from a person who likewise received free rides from the same person who charged me with such in the first place. At the hearing, because of the information gained concerning two of the criticisms, they were dropped. As for the free rides, I gave a signed copy of the written testimony to a different committee member, as the chair had to recuse himself, but unfortunately this wasn’t used in my defense. Subsequently, I had to pay a fine regarding this complaint.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

I learned a couple of things from this experience. Don’t give an appearance of evil, even if others are doing the same thing. And if someone does you wrong, do them good. When I couldn’t pick up a fare because of being too busy, I’d call my accuser on the cell phone and ask him if he’d like to make the pickup. I knew this would release me from harboring resentment and allow God to deal with him.

Sometimes, things happen to us because we’re engaged in something that, while not wrongdoing, gives an impression of such to others. Hopefully, this will serve as a blueprint for what we should be mindful of when making decisions as we go forward on our spiritual journey so that if a similar situation occurs in the future, we’ll be better equipped to handle it.

Did you know that many such memorials have taken place in the lives of certain individuals or are reflective of the obligations of the citizens of a particular nation that are recorded in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible?

Let’s find out what these are and how they were used to edify those with whom they pertained.

THE OLD TESTAMENT MEMORIALS

These Stones Shall Be for a Memorial