VENTURA : Vigil Commemorates the Death of J.F.K.

Holding lighted candles and sharing reminiscences of the fallen leader, several dozen people gathered Monday in Ventura to observe the 30th anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy.

The outdoor vigil, held outside the Ventura County Government Center, was sponsored by Democrats United of Ventura County as a tribute to the country’s 35th President, who was assassinated Nov. 22, 1963.

“Kennedy was a man willing to face up to all the wrongs and do what was right,” said Paul Chapman, president of Democrats United. “He was a strong and true leader.”

Others who attended described the sense of loss they felt when they heard that Kennedy had been killed.

Ekban Quidwai was a resident of Karachi, Pakistan, when he learned the American President had been killed.

“He was the leader of the whole world,” Quidwai said. “He talked about fighting against our common enemies--poverty, illiteracy and war.”

Douglas Abbe of Ventura said he was 6 years old and a first-grade student when his school principal made the announcement.

“Kennedy stood for what’s right for the common man and that there be no barriers between people,” Abbe said. “He gave us hope, and ever since that day there’s a part of him in me that will never die.”

Ventura County Supervisor John K. Flynn read a portion of Kennedy’s inaugural address, which urged citizens to make personal contributions for the benefit of the nation.

“He moved us,” Flynn said. “He had that leadership ability that brought us all together. Let’s bow to the challenge and do what he would have wanted us to do.”