The recent film, Jackie, about Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, is getting lots of attention.
Seems she never loses her allure, while we remain fascinated by her.
The film chronicles the assassination, 
along with the pain over losing her husband, as if it should come as a big surprise.
Imagine, not only the loss, but being there, cradling his head, what was left of it, in her lap refusing at the hospital to allow him taken from the limousine, fearing the world would see, what she already knew.
Her beloved Jack, was no more.
A Secret Service man threw his jacket over JFK, and only then, did she let him go.
At her worst moment, Jackie held her ground.
When they said she couldn’t enter the examination room, she went in anyway.
“I want to be with my husband.”
She then got hold of her brother-in-law, Sargent Robert Shriver, asking him to please go to The Library of Congress to get all there was to know about Abraham Lincoln’s funeral, 98 years earlier.
As shocked as she had to be, her correctness…what she felt was her husband’s due, did not desert her. Compare her to Mary Lincoln, so distraught, she couldn’t even attend her husband’s funeral.
Black bunting was draped throughout The White House. Every flag in the country flown at half mast.
JFK’s body traveled by caisson, 
followed by a riderless horse with boots set backward in the saddle’s stirrups, to honor our fallen leader. 
But the tale that always brings me to tears, is Jackie’s decision to walk to the church behind her husband’s casket.
The Secret Service, who had just lost a president on their watch, begged her not to.
They were afraid snipers were at large, still having no idea who was responsible for this horrific crime.
Ninety foreign dignitaries came to pay their respects, so their fear wasn’t unfounded.
They were particularly concerned about LBJ, our new president, and French President, Charles De Gaulle, both extremely tall and easy targets.
De Gualle had a rare blood type they flew in, just in case.
And Johnson…we just lost a president…could we survive losing another?
“Please Mrs. Kennedy, please ride in a car. We’re worried about those who will follow you.”
Jackie said, “They can do whatever they wish, but I’m walking behind my husband.”
These men, who knew the danger, all collectively said…
If she walks, we walk…and they did.
On that sad day in history, in November, 1963, it gave courage, valor and dignity a whole new face. 
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, was all but 34 years old.
SB
I never knew alot of what I just read. She was quite a woman. Very interesting bits of history
Thanks for sharing
Hal
LikeLike
Most people don’t. It’s all so sad and poignant, but it’s our history. She’s our history.
LikeLike
It was so sad. I remember it well.
LikeLike
I remember some of it. I was 10, and all that lore I read. She will forever impress me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw the movie over the holidays and couldn’t imagine, after all the other Jackie movies and writings, what else there was to tell. But this latest movie takes the story in a whole new direction; digging into the gruesome details of the aftermath, why she ignored admonishments to walk at the funeral procession, and the story behind the “Camelot” story she had publicized. The movie is raw and more believable than previous ones, I thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read so much about her. I wasn’t nuts about it. Imagine going through a thing like that. Despite his antics, I truly believe he meant the world to her. I always found the Camelot story rather touching. I’ve trained myself to stay in the light. I wish they’d leave her alone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was twelve when JFK was as sainted and have read quite a few books about their lives. They had a complex relationship and she was an interesting individual whose attitude about marriage and relationships was formed by her own father.
I’m not sure she was ever completely happy except for short periods of time and when she was with her children.
Her’s is a difficult life to define.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Her father whom she adored, was quite a rake. So she marries one thinking, that’s how it’s done. I can’t imagine what it must have been like being her. The writer, Pete Hamill, who dated her way back when said, it was like taking King Kong to the beach. Jackiemania.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susannah, she definitely had strength of character. I think of Michelle Obama in a similar manner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really? I never saw a comparison, but then again, I wasn’t very tuned into to MO. But let’s fasten our seat belts Skinny, because there’s a new first lady in town…:)
LikeLike
Her age is what stops me in my tracks. At 34, it was if she already endured much to much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was only in her early 60s when she died. You saw the film…what do you think?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jackie’s ability to put her pain aside to heal the pain of the nation was powerfully captured in the film. I hope that is the point people who see it walk away with.
I’m still not over Ladybird picking out new fabric at the end. It was too business as usual for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, they were pretty kind to her. They let her move at her leisure. LBJ refused to leave Dallas without her when the secret service wanted to get him out of there. And one of the first things he did, was write John and Caroline letters telling them what a special dad they had. Ladybird even went to her funeral. No, that part was a cheesy end. The Johnsons, may have had their faults like the rest of us, , but they were exceptionally kind to Jackie Kennedy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that my friend is refreshing to know. I walked away from the movie feeling they were cold. The other thing that was incredible to realize it that all of that took place over a week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s Hollywood for you, anything to sell tickets. It annoys me that they never tell you the good. The way of the world Top.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She showed a lot of dignity and poise considering how devastated she must have been. Have you seen the new movie? How do you think it is overall?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t care for what they focused on. Sadly, the majority of Americans don’t know their history, so the film is very misleading, in my opinion. I know people who liked it.
LikeLike