"I was attending the Hazard Area Vocational school in 1968 with the photographer, Paul Gordon.  I remember hearing him tell about Robert Kennedy's visit and his taking the pictures.  I believe that one of the pictures was featured in the Hazard Herald.  Robert Kennedy meant a great deal to many young people at the time.  We had hopes of having a president that could better relate to and understand us.  We lost many ideals with his passing."  Larry Brashear, Sebastian, FL

"I enjoyed your article.  I too attended ALC but it was a couple of months after the tragedy.  RFK was my hero too.  Any from ALC during that time I'd enjoy hearing from you.  Thanks again." Helen (Turmer) Brewer, Georgia

"February 13, 1968 was a Tuesday.  At that time I was a month off seven and in an atrocious class, a combined 1st - 3rd grade class.  Every morning the class policy was to "write the news," which was to write what was currently taking place.  Each pupil filled out a piece of note book paper with the 'news.'  The only thing I didn't like about this morning procedure was that part of the requirement was to give the 'weather report,' that is to describe the weather and give the temperature and type of clouds that were visible that day, e.g. cumulus clouds.  I really didn't like that.  The other thing I heartily disliked was the 'personal notes' that each pupil got.  The teacher I had at the time didn't have the intelligence of a radish and every morning would write personal notes to each pupil and leave them in an envelope that was taped to each person's desk.  Unfortunately, the notes became a competitive venture for me and I would count and compare everyone's notes with my own before I took my coat off.  I hate to say this, but I felt the notes were a way of ranking people by favored status.  Counting and comparing the notes naturally defeated the purpose.  I was the only one who did this because I just had to know where I stood.  Robert Kennedy, then a senator stood first place in my estimation.  He was my very first hero and I thought he was really cool.  On November 3, 1964 I was the youngest person who voted for him.  My mother brought me into the election booth, told me to find his name, push the button and pull the lever. I was so proud!  For days afterward I proudly told everyone I saw, 'I'm A Voter!' A late talker and early reader, I used to LOVE reading about Robert Kennedy in the newspaper and seeing him on the evening news.  'He's a man who cares about people,' my mother would tell me.  'That's why I had you vote for him.  Just remember YOU voted for him.'  I was SO proud!  I will never forget June 5 & 6, 1968.  My mother greeted me with the sad news of the Senator's assassination.  Let's just say I took the news very hard.  That morning, in class after I had counted up the notes and it was time to 'write the news,' I filled my page with what I knew about the assassination. That whole day I prayed that Robert Kennedy would pull through; I kept thinking, 'please don't die.  We need you.  Just be alive when I get home tonight.'  Once home, I remained RIVETED to the evening news and read through every related article in the paper.  On the morning of June 6, 1968 my mother would not turn on the news, no matter how hard I pleaded.  Since I had to catch a 7:30 bus, I had to get up very early and be ready to leave.  Nobody turned a radio on or left a newspaper anywhere in that building; it was only when I got home that afternoon that my mother broke the sad news to me.  'I hate the man who shot Senator Kennedy!  I hate him and I hope they throw him in jail forever!  And I wish Rosey Grier had broken his [the assassin's] head!'  I can remember to this very day saying.  I watched the news and read every article about the Senator's death and spent the rest of that day crying my heart out.  'Senator Kennedy would not want you to hate anyone,' my mother told me.  'Instead of hating the assassin, pray for the Senator and his family instead and pray for an end to this kind of violence.'  For months I had nightmares about the assassination.  The part that upset me the most was that Robert Kennedy suffered brain trauma and the idea that his intelligence would be impaired was very upsetting to me.  My mother was a special education teacher at the time and would often tell me about the brain and its many functions.  At the time I thought 'brain damage' and impaired cognition were synonymous.  The idea of this vital, intelligent man suffering any trauma was very upsetting to me.  I grew up.  I never forgot."  Lisa N. Collins

"I really enjoyed the documentary 'American Hollow' by Rory Kennedy. You should put some information about the Bowling family on your website.  Also, maybe info on how the public can purchase Iree Bowling's quilts."  Octavia Williams, South Carolina

"I was attending Alice Lloyd College at the time Robert Kennedy came to Eastern Kentucky.  I attended a dinner for Robert Kennedy at the home of Clayton Atkins family.  I was able to get his autograph which I treasure even today.  What an experience for a coal miners daughter from Leatherwood, Ky.  I will never forget the meeting in Cushing Hall.  Carl Perkins was also in attendance.  The people who attended only wanted to direct their questions to Carl Perkins.  I don't think they realized the importance of that evening.  Only to hear a few weeks later that Robert Kennedy had been killed.   Thanks for the memories.  I hope you enjoyed my memory of that special week in February 1968."  Anonymous

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