Seeing JFK on the news recently brought back a memory that is still so vivid it’s hard to believe it happened a half-century ago! The date was September 3, 1960, and the place was the Anchorage Westward Hotel. The previous evening, John F. Kennedy had given the kick-off address for his Presidential campaign at the Edgewater Dining Room on the Seward Highway. As editor-in-chief of the Eagle’s Cry, I’d received permission to attend JFK’s press conference in the Chart Room.

Shortly before the press conference began, I was standing by an elevator in the Westward. The elevator doors opened and out stepped John F. Kennedy! Perhaps the red wool suit I wore caught his attention—or maybe it was because I was the youngest person in the vicinity. At any rate, he walked straight toward me, greeted me and shook my hand! What an awesome start to the day!

Local reporters and photographers, representatives of major radio and television networks, and national magazine and newspaper writers all attended the press conference. This was truly the big time! It was the day when notes were taken on paper  notepads…not the electronic gadgets of today. Action moved quickly as reporters fired off their questions. I remember the purposeful activity, the busy excitement, and the abruptness with which the press conference ended.

Bob Bartlett stands out in my mind as a man who was really attuned to young people. Sen. Bartlett took me under his wing that morning after my Dad introduced me to him. I had a feeling of confidence that came from sitting beside Sen. Bartlett during the press conference. And when it was over, he immediately escorted me to JFK so I could ask questions of my own!

Fifty years may have dimmed our memories, but we all carry special moments from our days at old Anchorage High! If you have a remembrance you’d like to share but need to jump-start it, contact me at bpjensen@alaska.net. Perhaps I can find an Eagle’s Cry article that  will help to jog your memory!

My story appeared in the first Eagle’s Cry of the school year with the photo below that was taken by an Anchorage Times photographer.

Pat Norton talks with JFK following his press conference at the Chart Room Sep. 3, 1960.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 at 5:19 PM and is filed under Memories, Photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.