Riveting story, Glenn! I was in 3rd grade (Houston) that fateful day, and remember the principal announcing the news over the intercom. My other (typically immature for an 8-year-old) memory is being upset the next day when all my Saturday morning cartoons on all 3 major networks were pre-empted by relentless news reports!
Peripherally related, Glenn, is a fuzzy memory from what must've been just a few weeks or months before that day: Dad worked for KTRH, the CBS-owned clear channel news/talk AM radio station in town. The Houston Press Club had its annual Gridiron Dinner at a Rice Hotel (where KTRH had a top floor) banquet room. My bro (a year older than I) and I were given roles in a pre-dinner skit.
The premise had to do with Congressmen John Connally and George Bush, the elder. Men played them, and having something to do with a washing machine and/or dryer (it must have been funny, but no way I can remember the point of the comedy!), my brother and I crawled into large boxes made to look like those large appliances, and emerged as the newly-shrunken Congressmen to gales of laughter (I'm guessing) and applause! With your Houston-area ties, I thought you'd get a kick out of that story!
I was amazed by your photo of the dated dinner invitation! Ever had it appraised (I realize you'd never think of selling it)? Because of the infamy of that date, and what it's tied to, I gotta think it's got some monetary value to it. As someone who's sold everything from rare records to sports-related autographs, just curious. Again, a wonderful account.....Dad would be proud!
Wow, what an experience! How cool that your father had the foresight to write it down--in all caps!--on a legal pad, and how cool that you found it and you're now sharing that bit of history with us. Thanks for this story.
Riveting story, Glenn! I was in 3rd grade (Houston) that fateful day, and remember the principal announcing the news over the intercom. My other (typically immature for an 8-year-old) memory is being upset the next day when all my Saturday morning cartoons on all 3 major networks were pre-empted by relentless news reports!
Peripherally related, Glenn, is a fuzzy memory from what must've been just a few weeks or months before that day: Dad worked for KTRH, the CBS-owned clear channel news/talk AM radio station in town. The Houston Press Club had its annual Gridiron Dinner at a Rice Hotel (where KTRH had a top floor) banquet room. My bro (a year older than I) and I were given roles in a pre-dinner skit.
The premise had to do with Congressmen John Connally and George Bush, the elder. Men played them, and having something to do with a washing machine and/or dryer (it must have been funny, but no way I can remember the point of the comedy!), my brother and I crawled into large boxes made to look like those large appliances, and emerged as the newly-shrunken Congressmen to gales of laughter (I'm guessing) and applause! With your Houston-area ties, I thought you'd get a kick out of that story!
I was amazed by your photo of the dated dinner invitation! Ever had it appraised (I realize you'd never think of selling it)? Because of the infamy of that date, and what it's tied to, I gotta think it's got some monetary value to it. As someone who's sold everything from rare records to sports-related autographs, just curious. Again, a wonderful account.....Dad would be proud!
Wow, what an experience! How cool that your father had the foresight to write it down--in all caps!--on a legal pad, and how cool that you found it and you're now sharing that bit of history with us. Thanks for this story.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great story. Thanks for retelling it.