RFK Memorial Post

My brother came to visit and we took a stroll to Arlington Cemetery. As all of you should know, it is solemn ground, notably when standing over the Eternal Flame memorializing John F. Kennedy's premature death. The words of his inaugural address (I wish I could say "first inaugural") are sketched into stone; immortalized. Sadly, the words are starting to fade into the stone.

Then, after a few paces, we were standing in front of Robert Kennedy's grave. There is something to be said of taking in the final resting place of America's most celebrated brothers, all the while standing side-by-side with your own brother, whose examples and experiences have shaped your life just as much as your own trials have.

The cross that marks RFK's grave faces his words, also sketched in stone. One of the quoted speeches bears witness to a great act of political courage. The day is April 4th, 1968. Those students of history might recognize the date as the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on a balcony overlooking Memphis. RFK was scheduled to give a speech in Indianapolis to a black crowd. When he stepped off of the plane, RFK was alerted to MLK's death. The police advised Kennedy to cancel the speech because they feared the crowd would quickly become unruly, threatening Kennedy's life. Devoid of the information highway, there was no way RFK's waiting supporters would know of the civil rights leader's death. It would not be wise for a rich, New England, white man to tell a black, urban crowd that their beloved hero had been assassinated by a racist white man. It was political and, possibly, physical suicide. Robert Kennedy would have none of it. Inspired by his brother's assassination, he went on with the speech.

Without notes in front of him and visibly shaking RFK began, "I have some very sad news for all of you, and I think sad news for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world, and that is that Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight in Memphis, Tennessee." The crowd responded with audible screams and shock. But, RFK pressed on. Slowly, RFK gained his composure and outlined steps to fulfilling the legacy of Martin Luther King.

"What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or they be black."

After that the sullen crowd slowly applauded and began to cheer RFK's inspiring words. Much like the Gettysburg Address, RFK's speech was short, but poignant. And much like, too much like, Abraham Lincoln, RFK was shot and killed by those who feared the legacy that he strove to instill.

I just thought I would share the thoughts running through my head while looking at RFK's grave. As inspiring a leader JFK is noted to be, his brother matched his oratorical prowess (although, not nearly as famously). We must remember that together JFK and RFK navigated through the Cuban Missile Crisis and the abbreviated Kennedy presidency. If you would care to see the Indianapolis speech (you should) go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPYNb4ex6Ko

-Wyatt Earp