Ted Kennedy's life's work was not to champion the causes of those with wealth or power or special connections," Obama said. "It was to give a voice to those who were not heard, to add a rung to the ladder of opportunity, to make real the dream of our founding."
The president said that "though it is Teddy's historic body of achievements that we will remember, it is his giving heart that we will miss."
It was the 60's - I was part of a group of teens who were on a trip: first to NYC and the theater district for a national Genesian Convention - named for St. Genesius, the comedian, a Roman actor who was martyred for his faith - and was the name we took as young Catholic actors. I had worked three jobs for over a year to earn the money to take this trip and buy some clothes to wear - have money for food and presents for those at home. I planned and watched each penny I earned - some for tuition- some for the trip and made sure I had enough to make it.
This trip was a week away from home with girlfriends and a bus trip to NYC, West Point, Washington D.C. and Arlington Cemetery to visit the Kennedy grave site and see the eternal flame with the faint promise of the brother, Ted Kennedy, meeting us at the grave site.
NYC is a story in itself - the bus rides were another. But the trip to Arlington turned into a memory that became embedded - forever!
We left the bus and walked through a wooded area to get to the grave site. It was so eerie! Here was this flame - just burning - and it brought back the rush of emotions and feeling of loss I had experienced when we were told in school that 'the President of the United States had been shot and was dead!" OMG - He was the Catholic President -and one we had worked to have elected. And so suddenly he was gone ... The emotions were still rushing through my brain and I heard a New England accent thanking us for coming and saying other words - words I could barely discern --It was Edward Kennedy - Teddy as everyone called the younger brother. And there he was talking to the group and now he was leaving and suddenly I knew I wanted to get his autograph before he left. I checked and had nothing - but my bus ticket - borrowed someone's pen and took off after this suited man. I raced to catch him - I only noticed the two big marines who guarded his back as I got closer to him. I called his name - but the wind was blowing my voice backwards - I saw an opening when the marines took their step to the right and they were about to cross a wooden bridge and would not be able to be three abreast so I squeezed between them and grabbed Kennedy's jacket sleeve - He spun around and was as surprised to see me as I was surprised to be face to face with him and had two marines reaching to grab me and exclude me from being so close.
He stopped them with a look and I without hesitation but a little winded asked for his autograph and offered him my bus ticket and a pen. He had a twinkle in his eye - as he said something about being taken away by the marines if I made any funny moves and took the ticket and pen and scrawled his name across it - then I thanked him and they were gone! I stood there staring at the ticket - knowing eah scrawl as a letter of his name - amazed that I had gotten it. When I turned to tell someone I had it - there was no one there they had all gone to the bus and didn't even notice I was missing!
When I got back to the bus the driver demanded the ticket and I refused to give it to him. "Then you won't get on my bus!" I begged - "please- Teddy Kennedy just signed it for me!" He looked at the scrawl and said - "Nah- that's just an ink blot!"
He let me on the bus and let me keep the stub. I told the story to my friends and let them all touch and hold this little piece of cardboard with funny writing. I treasured that piece of paper for years - until I gave it to a friend as a birthday gift. It was my prized possession and I had nothing else to give her - so I parted with that ticket stub.
That was my first encounter with Ted and the only physical contact I had with him - but I did contact later in life for another request. But that's another story.
And that's for another day! Thanks Teddy for turning around and paying attention to a teenager who was willing to get past your bodyguards to get your autograph!
