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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
Half century passes since JFK’s shooting
FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894
Where were you?
It was the most awful moment I had ever experienced as far as national news that affected all of us the way it did. He was such a young man and had a young family. We all just felt so connected to this presidency, and it was a very quiet bus ride coming home. As young people, we were so vested in government and politics. He elevated our thinking to that level, because again, he was such a young man, and we identified with him. Ronetta Moses, Sumter
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A photo of John F. Kennedy and flowers lie on a plaque at Dealey Plaza in Dallas on Thursday. Locally, James L. Felder and Sammy Lee Williams are remembering their involvement in the funeral ceremony for the nation’s 35th president leading up to the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination. “The situation I was in with the military is that we had to put emotions aside and do our jobs,” Felder said.
Sumterites recall helping lay slain president to rest
Linda Parker, Summerton
Fund started after fire guts family’s house BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com A couple who have served the Sumter community for years are now in need of assistance from the community. Firefighters were called to the Converse Street home of Jerry and Natalie Kelly at 6:20 p.m. Wednesday when a grease fire burned out of control and spread through the one-story, 1,900-square-foot house. Now the couple — he a deputy with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, she a detective with the
Base bomb threat sends schools into lockdown BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com
It was right after lunch in English class when the principal came on the intercom. They somehow hooked it up to the radio so we could listen to the live broadcast. One girl went into hysterics, and they had to take her to the health office. It was homecoming weekend, and they canceled a lot of the activities, so I stayed home with my mother and watched Jack Ruby shoot Oswald.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Sumter’s James L. Felder handles the United States flag at the burial of former President John F. Kennedy in a photo from “I Buried John F. Kennedy,” written by Felder.
SEE 50 YEARS, PAGE A7
A bomb threat at Shaw Air Force Base on Thursday forced a lockdown of the military installation for several hours, preventing both Shaw Heights Elementary School and High Hills Elementary School from dismissing at their normal times. No one was injured in the false alarm; however, the delay prevented parents and buses from picking up the young students until about 30 minutes after the typical dismissal time — leaving the vehicles’ drivers SEE LOCKDOWN, PAGE A10
Ivy Moore, Sumter
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Homeless officers, 2 children need help
SEE FIRE, PAGE A10
I remember exactly where I was — gym class at Edmunds High School. Several people broke down crying, even the gym teacher. (It was) sad commentary for American history.
BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com Today marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former President John F. READ MORE Kennedy. INSIDE As the country reflects on one of the Ex-AP writer recalls serving most pivotal moas Oswald pallbearer. A3 ments in its history, JFK in his own words. A5 Sumter’s own James Are young people losing L. Felder remembers interest in former President receiving the news of Kennedy? A7 Kennedy’s death and Commentary: Remembeing a pallbearer bering John F. Kennedy. A9 during the president’s funeral service. “I liked President Kennedy. He was the first president I voted for when I was
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