Today, Dominica’s government has its administrative headquarters on Kennedy Avenue. The national financial center is also on Kennedy Avenue –a major artery in the small national capital of the island nation which travels east from the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard to its end at the front gate of the newly built Windsor Park stadium. Kennedy Avenue was called New Street until 1964, when it was renamed in honor of US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK).
On November 22, 1963 President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald, an employee of the School Book Depository overlooking the route taken by the President’s limousine, was arrested that day. Oswald was charged with the death of a police officer Tippet and President Kennedy. However – before there could be a trial – Oswald was shot dead in the Dallas police station on November 24, 1963 by Dallas night club owner Jack Ruby. Despite much controversy attendant to the event, and many conspiracy theories, the overwhelming evidence is that Oswald shot and killed President Kennedy.
Dominicans had followed the rise of the young President and his charming wife, Jacqueline, with great interest. He had been the first Roman Catholic to become a US president, and that meant much on Dominica where the Catholic Church towered over all others. Kennedy had also been seen as sympathetic to the African American quest for freedom and civil rights. After Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the now famous “I Have a Dream Speech” at the March on Washington in August 1963, Kennedy welcomed him and fellow march leaders to the White House in a show of support. In a majority African descended country, such a disposition consolidated a positive image of Kennedy in the public mind.
In 1961 Kennedy had created the Alliance for Progress, an anti-poverty program to curb Soviet and Cuban influence in the region, after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Food aid from that program – much of it via the Catholic Church – came in the form of powdered milk called “Klim” which was distributed around the island. A fat product called “Buttermilk” was also distributed in a silver colored gallon can. Both Klim and Buttermilk were ubiquitous in the Roseau that I grew up in during the 1960s. In the words of retired civil servant Alberta Christian, “All schools got a batch of food; pregnant women got the food aid at the clinics, the Klim was also distributed at schools. Cheese, flour and rice were also distributed. Often times, you would see people carrying water in the empty silver cans. Kennedy was well liked by ordinary Dominicans, as he was the first US President Dominicans associated with such assistance. I was washing clothes in a tub when the word came of the President’s death and people in Pottersville were quite sad, some even crying. It was that popular sentiment which led to the change of name from New Street to Kennedy Avenue.”
Kennedy was human and despite recent revelations, his legacy not only endures, but continues to grow. JFK organized the US Peace Corp Volunteer program. Dominica became one of the first countries to receive the volunteers. One such volunteer, Robert “Bob” Maguire became a national sensation when he became the first foreigner to enter the national calypso show. He later authored the popular folk song Dominica, which can be heard on YouTube:
When the President was brutally cut down that day in Dallas, Dominicans were shocked and went into mourning. Ex-serviceman Wendell Christian, a committed diarist, who was then Station Officer at Melville Hall Airport fire station, noted: Friday, November 22, Kennedy assassinated; the death shocked the world;November 23, wept for Mr. Kennedy; Monday, November 25, weather very fair; President Kennedy who was assassinated was laid to rest.” Thereafter, many Dominicans, hung portraits in honor of the slain President Kennedy in their homes; some even named their children after him.
It is of note that Kennedy’s aide, Pulitzer-prize winning historian Arthur Schlesinger had paid a visit to the island in 1957, along with Adlai Stevenson. Stevenson later became US United Nations Ambassador during the Kennedy administration. Fifty years on, the US presence on Dominica is still marked by Ross University, ex-pats who relocated to the island, missionaries and Peace Corp Volunteers who give of their time. Today, the Peace Corp is headed locally by Dominican-born Patrick Henderson. It would be fair to say that because of President Kennedy, the United States has since been seen as a more welcoming destination for Dominicans to visit, study, work.
To this day the legacy of JFK and his presidency lives on. It is amazing to see all the lives he touched even outside of the U.S. This piee pays homage to him and all he stood for, great article dad !
to this day the legacy of JFK and his presidency lives on. it’s amazing to see how many lives he touched even outside of the United States. this piece pays homage to him, great article dad!
(Admin use this version and delete the email and other contact data at bottom of comment – thanks
A great piece there, Gabe. I remember it very well. I was playing soccer in the Windsor Park that afternoon, all of us from the Roseau Senior Boys School. Then about 3:00 PM, 30 mins before the end of Sports period, this guy came running into the Park yelling, “They killed him, they killed Kennedy, they killed the US President, shot by a sniper!” Not having any TV on the island back then, we all gathered in groups around our little transistor radios used for listening to Test Cricket Matches, to get a better handle on the emerging news, then we all headed for home to our Bush Radios for an all night vigil from BBC World Service and Voice of America (VOA). The very hot and sunny November Friday afternoon turned into a very doom and gloom evening, as if it was Good Friday and the death of Christ!! The rest is written in history, with New Street where I resided being renamed Kennedy’s Avenue. We had our share of memorabilia coming from my Dad in St Thomas shortly thereafter in the form of the famous Kennedy Portrait for the Living Room, Pens with his Bust attached on the clip as well as his famous quote, “Ask not what your country…….”
Gabe, you have a way of reviving history!!
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JROTC
Skerrit have to pay for dissin obama.
Very interesting!
I am falling in love with my island, Dominica, more and more each passing day.
I have already made up my mind to keep Dr. Honeychurch very busy with my enquiries.
Thanks Mr. Christian, esq.
yeap!this article have so much in it,it bring back alot of memories;
I remember the klim,used to make you p&&m loud.
the bulgar’was our fast food,bring water to a boil and drop a portion in there,2 mins done.
One of the earliest peace corp i remember was JIM MURRAY,great artiste good Basketballer with a nice jump shot.He even had RBS, make a carnival band, birds,in papermarcher,that is in the 60’s, in the art class under the big tamarin tree,
Great article. DA LOVE JFK.
ADMIN: The name of the Peace Corps volunteer who wrote the song is Robert Maguire, not McGuire.
Admin: Thanks for the correction. I’m sure Mr. Christian would also appreciate it.
Hello Mr. Christian,
Again a very insightful and informative piece of our history. I have just added new knowledge to my education and to my personal and continued development.
I loved the video and the last part especially since it highlights the beauty of the Village I grew up in – CALIBISHIE.
As follow up, you should all know that our father mentioned Mrs Jacqueline Kennedy visiting Dominica not long after the assassination. He was well placed to know that, as he worked at the airport. She came on a private plane with her children to seek some respite, it would seem. That recall was confirmed by Lennox Honychurch this week who stated Mrs. Kennedy’s visit was reported by famous local politician and author Phyllis Shand Allfrey’s in her newspaper The Dominica Star. It must be noted that Arthur Schlesinger, confidant of JFK and the eminent historian of the Kennedy presidency had visited and fallen in love with our island in 1957. He may well have pointed her in Dominica’s direction.
To DNO, we reiterate our thanks for the opportunity; to those who have expressed kind words of encouragement, it is much appreciated; Dominica/Dominicans have a rich history and unique place on the world stage. Often times we have missed opportunities to spotlight various aspects of our history. Our schools do poorly re such local history, in my view. We can all write more and so establish an indelible record for the ages. Let us always remember and respect that fact.
I agree with “human” below–a weekly or scheduled piece about Dominican (or even Caribbean) history could be an excellent addition to the site. Great article.
Great piece. I am always pleased to read up on President Kennedy’s legacy.
Great President…….this folk song was written by Bob and arranged by Jean Lawrence leader of the Siffleur Motagne Chorale….beautiful song…
Mamo boyfriend
Hello and good afternoon my people. Well its an informative article but I want to know if the CIA killed JFK. Even John Kerry said he don’t believe the Warren Commission Report but he stop shot of accusing the CIA of killing JFK therefore the American people are still being fool by their Government. We need the an honest review of the physical evidence and where is JFK brain. How can they arrest someone for killing JFK and walk him into a crowd causing someone else to shoot the alledge shooter of JFK. I guess a dead man tell no tales.
tony;
some countries have means to solve things,weather we like it or not,it is just a pity Dominica is unfortunate to solve hers.Just a few days ago someone was trying to draw to my attention,Pierre Charles death,had alot of plot similarities to JFK,
A plot for political power,and the way things going on in Dominica,it have me saying hmmmmmmmm,algebra’if a=1 and b=3;then a+b=4;
funny how things look similar,depending on the shade of glass you looking through.
Wow, glad to know about his contribution to Dominica. Thanks DNO.
PS. Do not keep my comments unmoderated for too long.
Nice Piece.
I vividly remember that day .At school in the convent high school we were sent home when the news came in. I always tell my kids about the Klim and butter milk we got from his administration. At St martin’s school they had these huge pots to mix the klim. we all got a cup of milk at recess time
Very beautiful video! It is unfortunate the we do not learn to appreciate what we have until we have left it. I am the victim of this kind of non-appreciation. I realize now that I have been victimized by my own ignorance for too long–I will going back to my Dominica and her nature of beauty and peace–you see! God’s Will be done!
Well thanks for sharing this with us. In those I was a young thing full of Life and vibrancy, there was no place in my mind to dwell on these sort of sadness. However today, for me, it is good to know. Thank you again!
nice reflection,but the klim and bulgar have it’s joke to,after having some,you better get ready for a shitings,hahaha,yea your belly use to rumble
Wow! what nostalgia – always loved this song, means even more to me knowing it was written by a foreigner.
Yes I…
I remember them bags of “surplus”.. 
….,’nuff dombway and kwibish by the river….the good ole days… 
Thanks for Sharing, Interesting.
so good
thanks for the history.
i love history
How many barrels of goodies come from families in the US compared with other countries? I’m not sure but I know it’s a lot.
Thank God for China, Venezuela, Cuba and the E.U for much needed assistance, but we have to give thanks for whatever the US and Americans continue to offer. Gaibu, I never knew that Kennedy had so much to do with it.
thanks for a great read
Very good information. Thanks
Thumbs up
thanks for that piece of history, wow, I am happy I read that article
Great article!
Thanks Gabu. ButI would add that the person in Dominica who piloted the project to rename “new Street” to “Kennedy Avenue” was no other than the Mayor of Roseauat the time His Worship Starford Lestrade.
Lovely reading.
A wonderful article and beautiful part of history! Thanks for sharing! President Kennedy will always be remembered in a honourable way. May he rest in peace. Blessings Ras Albert and Tempie Williams
Wow all this history we have with America and skerrit with china today very disrespectful to Obama.
you are an idiot. plain and simple.
Very informative article. Well put together. Thanks for this piece.
It only now strij e me thst my grand mother had teo pictures of thr kennedies in her living room. Didnt realize that Dominicans back then admired Kennedy
great article. thanks for sharing. wish i could read a weekly historical article. maybe about the dread in 1979 or great Dominicans that have passed on.
Very informative..
Excellent article glad to learn this bit of history!
Great read. Thanks for sharing.