Who doesn’t think of the “Grassy Knoll” when thinking about Dallas? If your children are age 10 and up, Dealey Plaza is an excellent place to introduce them to the assassination of President John Kennedy. Okay, this probably doesn’t fall under “Fun,” but you really can’t appreciate Dallas without understanding its significance in history.
We were able to visit the Plaza, but not the museum on January 1st this year. Albeit, I have never really had a keen interest in the subject, I was curious to “see” this place in history.
Having grown-up in the shadow of that tragedy, it was surreal to really be at the place that I had heard so much about. I was taken back by all the controversy that still exists today. You have to decide for yourself after hearing all the accounts of the day. Folks were buzzing about the conspiracy theories and vendors were peddling books/videos on the “Grassy Knoll.” You can’t help but to be drawn into it.
I think what really struck me was the “X” on the road. Regardless, of politics or conspiracies…
We were able to visit the Plaza, but not the museum on January 1st this year. Albeit, I have never really had a keen interest in the subject, I was curious to “see” this place in history.
Having grown-up in the shadow of that tragedy, it was surreal to really be at the place that I had heard so much about. I was taken back by all the controversy that still exists today. You have to decide for yourself after hearing all the accounts of the day. Folks were buzzing about the conspiracy theories and vendors were peddling books/videos on the “Grassy Knoll.” You can’t help but to be drawn into it.
I think what really struck me was the “X” on the road. Regardless, of politics or conspiracies…
I felt a lump in my throat to know we lost a President right at that exact spot. Somber….
Veronica G of Virtualtourist put it this way, “Hearing the broadcasts again, reading the headlines of the newspapers and seeing film clips of President and Mrs. Kennedy from the start of their Dallas visit to the end result brought a wave of sadness. I had always hoped to visit the site someday, but I did not expect to feel this way so many decades later.”
My children at ages 10 and 13, were not as emotionally impacted by the location, but they too were curious as they listened to the buzz. However, it was good to reflect on what the tragedy meant to our country, as a form of patriotic respect. I think that is an important virtue to instill in our children.
I plan to bring the boys to the 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza to round out our trip to the “Grassy Knoll.” However, I think we will do a little pre-research on Kennedy to help frame the context of the visit. I really like the information at Barbara Feldman’s site surfnetkids.com to help prepare my kiddos. She has a plethora of links and books to stimulate conversation.
Does anyone else have any good Kennedy sites that would be appropriate and interesting for kids or ideas to present this part of US history to our kids?
What are your thoughts about the “Grassy Knoll?”
Veronica G of Virtualtourist put it this way, “Hearing the broadcasts again, reading the headlines of the newspapers and seeing film clips of President and Mrs. Kennedy from the start of their Dallas visit to the end result brought a wave of sadness. I had always hoped to visit the site someday, but I did not expect to feel this way so many decades later.”
My children at ages 10 and 13, were not as emotionally impacted by the location, but they too were curious as they listened to the buzz. However, it was good to reflect on what the tragedy meant to our country, as a form of patriotic respect. I think that is an important virtue to instill in our children.
I plan to bring the boys to the 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza to round out our trip to the “Grassy Knoll.” However, I think we will do a little pre-research on Kennedy to help frame the context of the visit. I really like the information at Barbara Feldman’s site surfnetkids.com to help prepare my kiddos. She has a plethora of links and books to stimulate conversation.
Does anyone else have any good Kennedy sites that would be appropriate and interesting for kids or ideas to present this part of US history to our kids?
What are your thoughts about the “Grassy Knoll?”
