[John_W]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

President Kennedy was assassinated on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.

On the preceding Monday, November 18th he visited Tampa, Florida, where I was working as a Deputy Sheriff.

Among his stops that day was the Ft. Homer Hesterly, Florida National Guard Headquarters. I was initially assigned to provide security at the door where the Presidential motorcade arrived. Once the dignitaries had moved inside I was replaced at that post by a Secret Service agent.

The agent in charge of the site told me he had another assignment for me. Eager to be of assistance I was more than ready.

Imagine my reaction when I was told that I was to guard the door to the mens restroom. But my reaction changed quickly when I was told that the President was inside and I was not to allow anyone else to enter.

A short time later President Kennedy emerged, smiled and nodded to me and said, "Thanks" and proceeded on stage to make a speech.

Being at leisure at that point I walked out to the motorcade cars and looked over the limousine and follow up cars.

Little did I know at the time that I would be recruited by the Secret Service and 18 months later I would be a Secret Service Agent.

That's a great story. I was across the bay in St. Petersburg. A 13 year old at Southside Jr. High and we had just come in from PE and were taking showers in the gym when the coach told everyone the President had been shot. The closest I came to your story was 7 years later in basic training at Ft. Polk, LA they recruited me for 'White House Communications'. I turned it down to remain with my enlistment choice of air traffic controller.