Letter: Bobby and Freckles

As the Kennedy family commemorates and mourns the 50th anniversary of the unspeakable tragedy of Robert Kennedy’s assassination, may they take comfort in this Bible verse: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 (KJV).

During 1967-68, my late father was assigned to an Air Force special missions unit at National Airport in Washington, D.C., that oversaw a distinguished visitors terminal. My father told me one day Ethel Kennedy pulled up in a pink Cadillac convertible “loaded with kids and dogs.” The usually quiet terminal turned into total chaos as children and dogs seemed to be running everywhere as they excitedly came to meet their father, Sen. Robert Kennedy.

Bobby Kennedy’s beloved dog, Freckles, was surely there. An Internet search shows many heartwarming photos of Bobby with his children and his English springer spaniel buddy. Sure enough, there is even a photo of Freckles sprawled out on the trunk of a large convertible. There is a famous photo of Bobby running down a beach with Freckles chasing behind him that appeared on the cover of Life magazine. Freckles even accompanied Kennedy on the presidential campaign trail.

These are just glimpses of some of the best of times for Bobby Kennedy. May God bless the Kennedy family.

JOHN MEINHOLD

Portsmouth

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