Category: USA

35 – John F. Kennedy

We visited a number of locations that are related to President John F. Kennedy.

JFK Birthplace, Brookline, Massachusetts
St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. As a Senator, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in this church in 1953.
The home of Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island. This is also where Jackie and John F. Kennedy’s wedding reception was held. President Kennedy used this estate as his summer White House during his term. 
JFK Presidential Library, Boston, Massachusetts
 
JFK Oval Office
 
  
 
 
Table setting for a 1962 State Dinner in the White House.
When Kennedy’s PT 109 boat was rammed during World War II, he made it to an isolated island. He scratched a message on this coconut and gave it to an island native, who took to someone who was able to rescue Kennedy and his men.
JFK’s Purple Heart medal
Message of congratulations to JFK on his inauguration as President from the surviving captain and crew of the Japanese Destroyer Amagiri, the boat that rammed JFK’s PT 109 during World War II.
 
 
  
 
Assassination of President Kennedy
JFK’s favorite boat, Victura 
 

26 – Theodore Roosevelt

Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, New York

This house is the home of my favorite President, Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president. He built this house in 1884, and died in this house January 6, 1919. He hosted a number of world leaders here. Unfortunately no photography is allowed inside, but the inside is incredible to see. There are many hunting trophies and animal skin rugs. There are two 1000-pound elephant tusks, a cape buffalo, bearskins, a polar bear skin rug, leopard skins, deer, moose, buffalo and so many more. Seeing it is so much more than describing it! Admiral Robert Perry gave Roosevelt the polar bear upon returning from discovering the North Pole!

In this house President Roosevelt negotiated with the Russians and the Japanese in 1905 to bring the Russo-Japanese War to an end, although the treaty was officially signed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As a result, Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the first American to win a Nobel Prize in any category.

I have been reading about and studying about Theodore Roosevelt since 4th grade -1968 – and now I been able to visit his house! This is very special for me.

Sagamore Hill
Sagamore Hill
A biography of Roosevelt is titled “Mornings on Horseback”.
This is where he enjoyed riding his horses.
Notice the right side of the porch. The railing is missing. Teddy didn’t want the railing there, so he could stand there and address the many crowds that used to gather to hear him speak…
…like this…
…or this!
Sitting on the same porch that Edith Roosevelt used to sit on looking out at Oyster Bay.
Sitting on the same porch as Teddy Roosevelt used to sit on looking out at Oyster Bay.
This is Oyster Bay.
This picture does not come close to showing how beautiful Oyster Bay really is.
The Roosevelt family motto:
In Latin: Qui plantavit curabit
Translates to: He who plants, preserves.
Although I could not take pictures inside the house, these horns are on the outside of the house.
Bust of Theodore Roosevelt in the museum next door to the house.
This cannon was captured in Cuba during the Spanish-American War 1898.
Roosevelt was once a cattle rancher in Dakota Territory (in what is now North Dakota).
Theodore Roosevelt’s idea of what it means to be an American.
This windmill on the grounds of Sagamore Hill has a story.
In Theodore Roosevelt’s words.
An effective way to climb over a fence.
The grave of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt.
Roosevelt was our 26th President, becoming president upon the assassination of President William McKinley. At 42 years old, he was the youngest man ever to be president. He was president from 1901-1909.

Theodore Roosevelt was born in October 1858, and died at 60 years old. During his life, he overcame asthma, was a rancher, police commissioner, fought the corrupt Tammany Hall political machine, was assistant secretary of the navy, governor of New York, Vice President of the United States, President of the United States, Safari adventurer and hunter  (to Africa and South America). As president he was involved in so many issues, that I can’t really post them here. I am glad to explain it in person if you are ever interested.