Recalling the Cuban Missile Crisis of October, 1962

Do you remember the Cuban missile crisis? I'll never forget the beginning. My father was out of town on a church trip, and Sarah and Sean had gone to bed. We were strapped for money then - enough for necessities, but not enough for luxuries, even luxuries many would have thought necessities - so after our tv went on the blink, we didn't replace it for some time. My mother and brother Mark were gathered around the kitchen table, listening to Kennedy on the radio. We hoped against hope he would choose non-confrontation with Russia, but feared the worst. When he began to speak, of course, he removed all doubt. Incredibly sobered, we sat silent for some time afterwards, staring at the floor. Finally, I said, somewhat bitterly, "I'm NOT going to be for him in the Presidential election in 1964." Mark responded, "Maybe there won't BE a Presidential election in 1964." Nobody said anything after that.

The next day, my brother, in 9th grade (I was in 5th) reported at dinner that one of his teachers had walked around the lunchroom, telling everyone, "Eat hearty - this meal may be your last." In our class discussion on Cuba, I was the only one who spoke against Kennedy, asking why it was wrong for Russia to have missiles on our borders in Cuba if it was okay for us to have missiles on their border in Iran. The teacher (a Baptist minister's wife) asked me, "What are you, a Russian or an American?" "An American," I replied, "but that doesn't mean I can't be for what is right!"

WTVD, Durham, NC, newscast, October, 1962:

Comments

[Ron M]

There is a difference between the US having missles in Turkey and Iran--they would have only been used as a reaction to a Soviet nuclear attack. They same could not be said about the Soviets--they demonstrated that in 1939 when they attacked Poland. And, it certainly couldn't be said about the Castro who would have been happy to destroy the US if he thought that would advance his dream of world communism.

By the way, I was stationed at Ft. Leavenworth, KS during the missle crisis. As we were a small detachment that wouldn't ever be called to action, I actually went home on leave in the middle of the whole thing. You can imagine the shock and surprise of the APs manning the gate at Offutt AFB--then SAC hdqtrs. They were on full alert and on a imminent war footing and there I am looking for a free ride on an AF courier plane to CA.

When I arrived at Castle AFB next to my hometown, I was met at the plane by a jeep mounting a .30 caliber MG. They "escorted" me off the airfield completely amazed at my presence.

It wasn't until much later that I discovered that we were only a day away from nuclear war. I've wondered if my commander didn't think that in the event of war, I might as well die with my family as standing around in Leavenworth.