08-04-2011, 09:01 AM
I recall as a 10th grade student, being allowed, as a group, to leave class to witness a presidential motorcade that passed 2 blocks from the school. And, after waiting a few minutes, the motorcade passed by. Amazingly different from Dallas, as no first lady, and no governor and his wife were in the car. Just President John F Kennedy sitting on the top of the back seat/trunk area as I remember. As they passed along Main Street in Houston, after leaving Rice University Stadium enroute to the Rice Hotel, I was on the right side about 12 feet from the car. We were about 2/3 of the approximate 3 mile distance, but 14 months and 10 days away from history. It's long been my opinion, that the assassination was successful because it was, very successful. Everything just occured just right. It could easily have been an attempt, but enough of an opportunity presented itself to a well prepared plan. That plan had not been finalized in '62. Or, at least all of the pieces were not in place and the time not yet right. Another difference from Dallas, I did not notice a vast number of cameras for the Houston motorcade, which still seems a little strange for so many films and photographs available for the assassination.