The Kennedy Detail
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Showing posts with label Letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letter. Show all posts

Friday, February 15, 2013

Letters of Encouragement

From an ex-navy seal who worked for me to some of our mutual friends -- many of whom also worked for me in Algeria protecting our oil facilities and personnel during the fundamentalist war of the late 90's..  I did my frog time in Korea, before the group converted to the awesome special forces group they are today.  Steve ended up as a master chief before he retired.


To All,

Background, as I was nearing the end of my Military Career I had the fortune to meet Mr. Gerald Blaine on one of my stops through Dallas. From our initial meeting I was able to later hire on with ARCO at their oil facility in the Sahara Desert of Algeria. Jerry as we know him was a great leader and wonderful mentor. Our connection was that we had both served as Navy Frogmen, Jerry also served our country as a Secret Service Agent starting with Ike and was on the 'Kennedy Detail' before heading off to the corporate world.

I still consider him as one of the finest Gents I've had the pleasure knowing.

We recently reunited by phone, and he told me about this book he recently authored, 'The Kennedy Detail' not only is the book out and doing quite well, but Hollywood is knocking at the door.

I've ordered my copies today at the web site listed below.

Several on this email list also worked for Jerry and some have served as Secret Service, I did cc Jerry on this in case any of you wish to reply to him directly.

Please pass along to anyone I may of missed who might be interested.

Hooyah Jerry!

Steve  



*********************************************************************************

Frog,

You are fortunate to know Agent Blaine.  I know you will enjoy his book.  It is well written and helps in understanding what happened that day in Texas.  It tells in great detail the story of a group of men who did their jobs.  Those men did not fail, but evil took the upper hand that day.  It may be the only day of my life that I remember so clearly.  Agent Blaine brought it all back to me in a way that I could understand.   Pat got me the book a couple of years ago for Christmas.  It is one of those books that you can't put down. I was in college and working for a newspaper when President Kennedy was killed.  Like all of us who are old enough to remember, I remember exactly where I was.  I was at work and in the "teletype" room when bells went off like I'd never heard before.  One line, "President Kennedy is dead."  



Agent Blaine,

If I might be so bold I want to thank you for your service and for writing the book.  It took me back to a time of fear, disbelief, anger, but most of all sadness and tears.  I can only imagine how you must have suffered.  You brought back a moment in American history  that was very confusing and enabled me to finally understand what happened and to accept what it meant for me and for America..    When I finished the book I really wanted to thank you and to shake your hand. Thanks to Steve, at least now I can thank you.  God bless you.  I join Steve in recommending that every American read your book.

Chuck Moore 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

A Reader's Heartfelt Response to The Kennedy Detail


Hi Jerry.........

Frank Badalson here from Richmond VA.  I want to express how much I enjoyed and valued reading this book!  I could just send a quick email and say....."hey man, i really enjoyed this new book-thanks" ...that seems the easy way out.....too cold and insincere to me ! I wanted to take the time to express a little more than that! .....from my heart.....as I see this book was from yours!  And Clint's..............  I sincerely hope you don't mind.

It's a little difficult for me to find a place to begin here.  I was in 4th grade at St Thomas More Catholic School in SE Washington DC at the moment of President Kennedy's assassination.  Mother Superior  burst into our class and stated "say a prayer for President Kennedy-he has been shot".  Of course our teacher led us in a prayer after which us 9 year old kids got back to school work.

At that time my family (Mother's side) owned a restaurant in the Eastover Shopping Center (Eastover Restaurant & Delicatessen).....considered SE DC but actually was just over the line in Eastover/Glassmanor MD.  It was a family affair and everyone in the family worked at the Restaurant including  us kids for whatever it was we could do. 

This was an extremely sad time for my family (all Catholic)......my Granny cried and cried all weekend.  We were not allowed to go out and play or be with any of our friends or even go to the Restaurant that weekend.  We all just watched tv.  We saw Oswald murdered on live TV.

My father, Frank Badalson Sr. was a tailor/haberdasher and considered very good at his trade at that time......he made suits for many Congressmen and had a Marine Uniform Shop in Quantico, VA.  The Summer of 1971 my Father got me a job working for Congressman William R. Anderson from TN.  I got to be quite close to the Congressman and his staff that Summer.  Mr Anderson called me in and said he wanted to appoint me as a US House Page for my senior year of high school.  Of course I said "yes sir" !  Long story short.....I quickly made it to "No 1 Page".....as they called it......I mainly catered to Congressmen  on the Republican side because they were short of Pages.  I did a lot for Gerald R. Ford who was Minority Whip at that time.  He came to know me by name....and I ran a lot of "errands" for him.  Of course he was the only original member of the Warren Commission that I ever knew and I was aware of that at the time......but honestly it didnt mean much to me then......too young!   Girls and cars....thats about it !

I went to college, The University of Richmond, VA and graduated in 1976.  One week later I started my career in Law Enforcement.  That lasted for 15 years. Mostly a regular beat cop.....in a very busy area.....quickly got into investigating  murders, shootings, rapes, robberies and of course alot of automobile crashes...physical fights and manhandling people......among the shoplifting cases, domestic calls, smashed mailbox and loud barking dog calls....etc......all the things a busy "beat" cop gets into.   I also watched many autopsies (maybe  about a dozen or so, a lot for a beat cop)....actually right there in the room  with Dr Marcella Fiero (Patricia Cornwells-leading lady--Dr Fiero was an associate Medical Examiner, not Chief during my time) and she was quite a character!!.  I learned about ballistics from our forensic guys and just good solid police work in general.  We were a close knit Department at that time....full of honorable.....trustworthy guys.  We had to count on each other and had to have full confidence in one another.  My point here is......much like you all  in the Secret Service.......although I understand not the same.........very similar in that "I get it"...throughout your book. 

The average citizen just can't comprehend what you all had to do.....no way.......not even me....til I read your book!

No Lawyer.....Physicist.....Journalist.....etc would have any conception what it takes......what it is to investigate a homicide, understand what bullets do, what wounds should look like and above all the "physical evidence " of a case in it's entirety.  I have read  no less than 40 books since 79/80 on the Assassination.  I have read the Warren Commission report........I conducted my own analysis and investigation.......I was in Dealey Plaza in October of 1994 and spent all day  in the Book Depository and the "tour".  I went to Oswalds rooming house............to 10th St near Patton St where Officer J. D. Tippit was slain, and to the Texas Theater.  Looking out of the Sixth Floor windows (the actual window was caged off at that time) but I looked out adjacent windows and was immediately struck  by how the distances seemed  so "short" to the street.......no problem at all for a .223 rifle with a scope.  Heck during my first years we had to qualify from the 50 yard line....using barricades......but nevertheless it was 150 feet of distance with a 4 inch barrel .38...6 shot revolver !   And I shot expert my entire career.  Of course the 50 yard line is no longer used in standard Police  qualifications.

Jerry....I can"t tell how how valuable your book is in every way.  Personally  this book fills in voids that I have always wondered about.............sure Posners book and Bugliosis 2 books are somewhat factual and I agree with most of it.....their conclusions and all.  However...........to me your book finally brings it all together.........you don't  yet again try to convince everyone about all the physical evidence and what it shows....how to interpret it...........YOU don't need to.   This perspective.....from You and Clint ............just ties it all together..........I can finally say after all these years....."Case Closed"   

    (............I always wondered about the true Secret Service role.....but nothing was ever written  from a factual perspective.........I did not believe these BS stories about the  guys all drinking/partying the early morning before......and changing the route.....none of that made sense to me......but I never heard it refuted from a factual basis.)

 From an investigative standpoint there is no doubt that Oswald acted alone..........the essence of the Warren commission findings and the findings of the Dallas PD ( including what Det. Jim Leavelle says...a true homicide detective) are correct and absolutely accurate. One might fault the Warren Comm. for not having at least 1 actual police officer skilled in actual homicide investigations....evaluating evidence and putting it all together.  They did ultimately end up with an accurate assessment.  By the way.....I wonder if most people out there know the real reason Oswald was handcuffed to Leavelle for transport on Sunday??  It was because Leavelle had  responded to the scene and was assigned to Officer J. D. Tippits murder and that was the first charge lodged against Oswald. So Chief Curry and Capt. Fritz agreed Leavelle should do it.  During my "time" .....I traveled out of State twice to transport criminals, by airplane. Chief assigned those who were directly involved in the case-always.

I have debated this subject for many....many.. years....with family....friends....my other Law Enforcement friends.......most of them think I am nuts......"why do you care"..........well I tell them  they should care......my cop friends all think I am a little eccentric to say the least.....but ....such a controversial subject.......warrants interest for History sake.....at least that is what I think.   I wasn't there......You all were....well I know you personally were not in Dallas........but......well.....you know what I mean !

One of the biggest debates I consistently have is this............Do you really believe  that this immense fraud and cover up you all talk about could possibly have taken place among all these Law Enforcement personnel?  really? Do you realize how many men would  have decided.....well....I'm just going to lie....and forgo my sworn oath....personal values......honesty...integrity , come on! .......I was awfully proud of my Department and every minute I served as a Police Officer.............there is no way anyone could possibly convince me or any of the men I worked with to "cover-up" anything............its hard to get this point across to lay people Jerry....very hard.

I think I will be giving away a bunch of your books as Christmas presents this year..............I know a good number of folks that really.....really need to read this book.  And it is the best Christmas present I can think of this year!!  I am mostly going to give it to those friends who have always doubted me !!! They will understand!

I want You and Clint to know that I appreciate your service......and the tremendous sacrifice and hardship (physically and emotionally) you all have endured (I also can appreciate the 48 hour days with no sleep-and certainly no overtime pay-it was expected)  during those days.......from the bottom of my heart...thank you Jerry.

 Sorry for rambling on......this is just a subject I feel very strongly about ......and I have never been remotely interested in writing any author about this subject......when I completed your book.....today......I felt compelled and after I saw the website.....I knew I had to write you !

Take Care, Your Friend in Virginia, Frank Badalson

Monday, October 10, 2011

Huge fan of book


Dear Mr. Blaine,

I wanted to write you and say how much I enjoyed your book. Having
read through many books on the Kennedy Presidency and legacy, your
book lent a credibility that simply cannot be questioned. Thank you
for encouraging the guys to lend their recollections to what is sure
to become a definitive account of those tragic events.

If you ever make it back through Los Angeles, perhaps for the
paperback, I'll be sure to attend the signing.

I know you guys don't like the term hero. Fair enough. But you had a
heroic job, did heroic things, lived a crazy schedule barely balancing
your family life with your work life that only a hero could pull off;
so you'll forgive me when I say, you sir, are a hero.

Thank you for this book. Thank you for your service.

Fred Shahadi
playwright

Monday, October 3, 2011

From Simon and Schuster Forum

Dear Ms. Lisa McCubbin, dear Mr. Gerald Blaine,

thank you for writing this extraordinary book abot the Kennedy detail. Aging 43, I became interested in the JFK assassination for the first time in 1992, when I was watching Oliver Stone´s " JFK". Since then I read various books about various conspirarcy theories as described in your book.

Dear Mr. Gerald Blaine, I´d like to thank you for your personal story and those of your then fellow agents. Thank you for many funny anecdotes during the detail and last but not least the very precise and heartbraking description of the assassination and its aftermath.

I´d like to let you know that I have entirely changed from a conspiracy enthusiast in the first place in the 1990s to such of the Warren Commission result. I have read the Warren Commission report. In comparison to those books which describe various conspiracy theories, the results of Warren Commission report are the most convincing. There might be ( or not) failures of investigations in it. However, after nearly 50 years since the assassination in Dallas no such conspiracy could ever been proved and to be honest to continue those theories is, to me, must be a permanent punch into the face of the Kennedy family, in particular for the only surviving child, Caroline Kennedy.

I allow myself as a much younger person who has never witnessed the scene in Dallas to tell you that I cannot see any guilt or personal responsibility for the death of the 35th President of the US. Neither you nor your fellow agents ever had chance to avoid the shooting. I am not saying that I disrespect your own feelings or those of your fellow agents. I am trying to say that from a rational point of view, there was nothing you could have done at the scene, as it happened. You were expressing this in your book as well, I think. You simply did a great job!

I hope for you personally and for the rest of the remaining fellow agents who are still alive, that you may find your peace and that the endless conspiracy theories may come to an end soon. I hope many more are going to read " The Kennedy detail"

Thank you for your brilliant book again!

Kind regards

Christoph Maurenbrecher

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Warm best wishes to Jerry Blaine


 
Dear Mr. Blaine:
 
I have just finished reading "The Kennedy Detail," and am moved to write you this note to thank you for taking the time to write it.
 
Over the years, I have been privileged to have gotten to know several SA's with the Secret Service, and am always impressed with their dedication to the job.  It is, at its essence, a very high form of patriotism.  No one I know has gotten wealthy from being in the Service; even those who have risen in the ranks to ATSAIC's, ASAC's and SAIC's.
 
The point that resonated with me from reading your book is the Herculean tasks you and your colleagues had in an era devoid of the technological advances that the Secret Service enjoys today.
 
Please pardon my intrusion on your time with this email, but I wanted you to know that your book was not only enjoyable; it was inspirational as well.  I hope you, Joyce and your family will enjoy happiness and good health for many years to come.
 
Cordially,
Mark
 
Mark S. Alper

Monday, September 19, 2011

A note from White House Photographer Bob Knudson' daughter

Hello Mr. Blaine

I am the daughter of WH photographer Bob Knudsen. I just finished your book. I absolutely loved it. Being that I was the youngest I probably spent the most time during my younger years with my dad. Your book really allowed me to better understand why dad was so quiet about his job and why he was gone all the time. I was born in April 1963.

One of my fondest memories was a 40th year birthday party for my dad at our house in Annandale. One of the USSS Agents came upstairs to console me because I was upset because I couldn't go downstairs with all the adults. I also remember the trips with Nixon when most families accompanied their fathers to Florida and Laguna Beach, California.

I read your book super fast because it was so informative. The style was awesome. I am grateful for all that you did during your service for the country. I am a Special Agent with the embattled ATF. I have been one for 12 years. I have been on a few task forces where I have had the privelege of working with USSS. It is still a great Agency and a joy to work with USSS Agents.


I would love have you sign my book and one for my brother and mother. I know Bob asked for one, but he may have put it off and it would be a great gift for all my siblings and Mom.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Yvonne Knudsen Becker

Friday, September 9, 2011

Bravo From a Fellow Secret Service Agent

Jerry:

My name is Tom Heuerman. I was an agent in Minneapolis and Chicago
from late 1968-1972.

I just finished "The Kennedy Detail" and want to say bravo, bravo, bravo.

You were definitely called to do this work, and I thank you for
following it. The world is better for your work.

I found the book deeply painful AND inspiring. It is really, I feel, a
book about all of our shared humanity in a world filled with villains
that the good people have to say "NO" to.

Clint Hill's story made me cry. I am a recovering alcoholic, (37
years), and don't know that he considers himself an alcoholic or not,
but I do relate to his suffering and isolation. I am so happy that he
dug himself out of his despair.

I am writing a review (as I fancy myself a writer too) and will post
it on Amazon, my blog, and my web site probably tomorrow.

By the way, in 2001 I lived on the side of a mountain between Ridgway
and Ouray, Colorado. I am in Plymouth, MN now.

My best wishes


Tom Heuerman

Friday, August 19, 2011

Thank You ...

Dear Mr. Blaine,

I just finished reading The Kennedy Detail, and I wanted to thank you and Mr. Hill and your other agent friends for setting the record straight. I was only 7 when the President died, but I still remember the day, and I've read and seen a lot of the theory stuff over the years.

You have done a great service to Mr. Kennedy's memory to provide many insights into the last few weeks of his presidency.
He always seemed like a very intelligent leader to me, but I always had a feeling he was also a great guy. You helped honor some of that side of him.

I have great admiration for the silence you kept for all these years, until all the brothers and Mrs. Kennedy had long passed. But you were right in deciding to share the truth about those days, and you and the other agents knew many things that should not be lost to history. I hope your book will stand as one of the main sources of reference for many years to come.

PS: My dad was an IBM salesman for 35 years and he's anxious to read the book now, too!

Best of luck,


Dave Jarvis
Oneida Castle, NY

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Your Excellent Book ...

Dear Mr. Blaine,

I just finished reading The Kennedy Detail, and I wanted to thank you and Mr. Hill and your other agent friends for setting the record straight. I was only 7 when the President died, but I still remember the day, and I've read and seen a lot of the theory stuff over the years.

You have done a great service to Mr. Kennedy's memory to provide many insights into the last few weeks of his presidency. He always seemed like a very intelligent leader to me, but I always had a feeling he was also a great guy. You helped honor some of that side of him.

I have great admiration for the silence you kept for all these years, until all the brothers and Mrs. Kennedy had long passed. But you were right in deciding to share the truth about those days, and you and the other agents knew many things that should not be lost to history. I hope your book will stand as one of the main sources of reference for many years to come.

PS: My dad was an IBM salesman for 35 years and he's anxious to read the book now, too!

Best of luck,

Dave Jarvis
Oneida Castle, NY

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Thanks from a Former Agent

Jerry:

My name is Tom Heuerman. I was an agent in Minneapolis and Chicago
from late 1968-1972.

I just finished "The Kennedy Detail" and want to say bravo, bravo, bravo.

You were definitely called to do this work, and I thank you for
following it. The world is better for your work.

I found the book deeply painful AND inspiring. It is really, I feel, a
book about all of our shared humanity in a world filled with villains
that the good people have to say "NO" to.

Clint Hill's story made me cry. I am a recovering alcoholic, (37
years), and don't know that he considers himself an alcoholic or not,
but I do relate to his suffering and isolation. I am so happy that he
dug himself out of his despair.

I am writing a review (as I fancy myself a writer too) and will post
it on Amazon, my blog, and my web site probably tomorrow.

By the way, in 2001 I lived on the side of a mountain between Ridgway
and Ouray, Colorado. I am in Plymouth, MN now.

My best wishes

--
Tom Heuerman

Friday, July 15, 2011

Thank you for your service to our nation!!

Mr. Blaine,

I am an Assistant United States Attorney in Pensacola, Florida. Today I was telling our local USSS agent, SA Kevin Clifton, how great your book was and he shared that very recently, he and a group of agents got to visit with the Kennedy Detail agents who were in Jacksonville doing a promotional on the book. I was spell-bound as he told me of his visit with you guys. There is not a finer, more dedicated, more professional group of agents that I have worked with in 33 years than those in the Secret Service. Thank you for your exemplary and sacrificial service to our nation and for sharing the history which you lived through this wonderful book!!

Len Register

AUSA - Pensacola

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Thank you for writing the book ...

Dear Mr. Blaine:

Thank you so much for writing the book and sharing.

I was in Mrs. Smiths’, 4th grade classroom on the South Side of Pittsburgh. I remember the smell of the classroom, the sound of the rubber tip of the teacher’s pointer on the pull down map; I can still see tears running down the faces of my classmates and teachers, I remember the tightness in my chest and the inability to swallow. As I was reading your book, I recalled the voice of Walter Cronkite announcing the time of death of President Kennedy.

After school, we still drove to Youngstown, Ohio to spend the weekend with family. Seven of us remained glued to the TV for the next four days. None of us understood why we lost a president that day. No explanations were sufficient.

Thank you for writing the book and answering questions that have remained unanswered since 1963. I understand more now.

Thank you to all the Secret Service agents who have served our Presidents.


My best regards,



Michelle Z

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

With Respect

Dear Mr. Blaine,

I just finished reading “The Kennedy Detail”, and just so you know, I have never sent a letter like this before.

I became aware of your book after you and Mr. Hill appeared on the FOX 5 San Diego morning show. My daughter, Anna Belle, a writer on the show, had the honor of speaking with you both. If I may jog your memory a bit, in the course of conversation, she relayed that her grandpa was also named Gerald but with a hard “G”. You both signed a copy of the book for her. She called me on her way home in tears and began telling me about your conversation and the pride, sorrow, loss and love of Country she felt and how grateful she was in her heart to have been in the presence of true heroes and learn of their commitments and sacrifices.

I finished the book yesterday and found myself wiping away the tears for the same reasons my 26 year old daughter did. I was 3 1/2 years old on that fateful day and remember, as do most American’s, and the world, exactly where I was.

I want to thank you for finally dispelling all the myths and theories about the assassination, but mostly for giving young people a chance to feel what it means to completely commit yourself to a job, a lifestyle, a career, for the greater good and ask nothing in return. I think our young people today need to know that and I believe your book is a great start. The rest of us “old folk” surely will benefit too!!!!!

Thank you again for the kindness you showed my daughter. She will never forget you. Her Grandpa G.G. (Gerald Guy) is now in possession of the copy you signed for her and, to say the least, he is a proud Grandpa!


With greatest respect.

Betsy Guy Baumbaugh

Friday, June 24, 2011

Thank You

Special Agent Blaine,

Thank you for writing your book and setting the record straight. I
was only four years old at the time of the assassination and about
all I remember is that everyone was sad and Bugs Bunny was not on on
Saturday morning. Since then I have become an eighth grade history
teacher. Every November near the date of the assassination I tell the
story through pictures and news video clips. Thanks to your book I
can now include some background information and can without a doubt
refute the conspiracy theories that are mentioned every year.

Thank you as well for the work that you and your fellow agents did
and still do to provide protection for our President. I can not
imagine the pain and agony that you all must have suffered. Thank you
and your families for being willing to do that.

Again, thank you for the book. I found it difficult to put down once
I started reading. It will give a new perspective for me when I visit
the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum later this spring.

Sincerely,
Warren Kidder

Monday, June 20, 2011

Thank You for Your Service.

Mr. Blaine,

I am an Assistant United States Attorney in Pensacola, Florida. Today I was telling our local USSS agent, SA Kevin Clifton, how great your book was and he shared that very recently, he and a group of agents got to visit with the Kennedy Detail agents who were in Jacksonville doing a promotional on the book. I was spell-bound as he told me of his visit with you guys. There is not a finer, more dedicated, more professional group of agents that I have worked with in 33 years than those in the Secret Service. Thank you for your exemplary and sacrificial service to our nation and for sharing the history which you lived through this wonderful book!!

Len Register

AUSA - Pensacola

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Mother and Daughter Send Thanks

Dear Mr. Blaine -

My daughter and I have just finished reading your book. I just wanted to let you know how we both enjoyed the attention to detail and the honesty that you put forth in reliving
the memories of that horrendous day.

I personally will always remember being in Senior year Algebra when we heard the news.
It was something that no one could have imagined. The trauma felt by the whole world
was only multiplied thousands of times for you and the other agents involved.

The book has helped to answer many questions that had been left unanswered. I have read
many books about the Kennedy family over the years. Jackie was a role model to those
of my age - from pill box hats to copies of her jewelry now on sale, we all wanted to
be part of Camelot.

I have known an agent who was on the Reagan detail and a childhood friend of our daughter is just now finishing his training in the Secret Service. I have a new respect for the
sacrifices you and the others have made day to day for our country and for your families
because they too have made sacrifices.

I thank you for writing the book. It is extremely well written and makes the reader feel
the emotion of the moments in those days following the assassination.

Thank you so much.

Kathy Fellin
St. Louis, Missouri

Friday, June 10, 2011

From A Fan

Dear Mr. Blaine,

My sincere thanks to your and your colleagues for sharing your story.

I just finished reading The Kennedy Detail and will read it again. I had my 15th birthday six days before the assassination and have been engrossed in both the man and the times ever since. Over the years I've amassed a small "Kennedy Library" of my own and your book was a gift from my son that I now cherish. After all these years, I still find it difficult to watch documentary footage of that tragic day but until now had no comprehension whatsoever of the loyalty, dedication, and sacrifice displayed by the men of your profession. Each and every one of you truly is a hero!


Thank you again for what must have been an incredibly difficult endeavor.

With admiration,
Fran Souza

Sunday, May 22, 2011

With a Gaithersburg Book Festival Fan!

On Saturday, May 21, a book festival was held in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Two of the featured authors were Gerald Blaine and Clint Hill from the Kennedy Detail book. While this was a life-time moment for me, it was my chance to have my son to experience history. Even though Terrell may be too young to understand the significance of the moment, years later he will be able to say that he shook hands and met two people who are etched in American history.

BTW: Before I could [ask] Mr. Blaine & Hill can I take of picture of them with my son, they beat me to the punch...and here is the proof....

















With Clint Hill and 6 Year Old Terrell Pullen


Courtesy of Jeffrey D. Pullen

Monday, May 16, 2011

Thank You

Dear Mr. Blaine:


Thank you so much for writing the book and sharing.


I was in Mrs. Smiths’ 4th grade classroom on the South Side of Pittsburgh. I remember the smell of the classroom, the sound of the rubber tip of the teacher’s pointer on the pull down map; I can still see tears running down the faces of my classmates and teachers, I remember the tightness in my chest and the inability to swallow. As I was reading your book, I recalled the voice of Walter Cronkite announcing the time of death of President Kennedy.


After school, we still drove to Youngstown, Ohio to spend the weekend with family. Seven of us remained glued to the TV for the next four days. None of us understood why we lost a president that day. No explanations were sufficient.


Thank you for writing the book and answering questions that have remained unanswered since 1963. I understand more now.


Thank you to all the Secret Service agents who have served our Presidents.


My best regards,

Michelle Z

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Thank You For Writing This Book

Dear Mr. Blaine,

I have never written or responded to authors of books or articles I have read. But, having just finished reading The Kennedy Detail I felt compelled to write to you to say THANK YOU. Thank you for having the courage to re-live those terrible memories in order for the world to finally learn the truth and the details of that horrific event.

I was not quite 6 years old when President Kennedy was assassinated so my memory of the events are limited. I can remember watching the coverage on TV and over the years have always read books written about the Kennedy's and the assassination. I must admit until reading your book I, like many others, was convinced there was a conspiracy that involved foreign governments. However, you and your fellow agents are so credible I don't know how anyone could dispute your account of history. Had this event taken place in the last 10 - 20 years it probably wouldn't be as difficult to believe that the assassination was carried out by one deranged person.

Prior to reading your book I never thought much about the Agents on the Kennedy Detail and how the events of that day altered their lives. I have such a profound respect for you and your former colleagues. I wish you well and again, thank you for writing this book.


Audrey Oswell