My uncle was in a JFK motorcade - San Diego, 1963

Please allow me to indulge in a little family pride for this thread...

My Uncle Charlie (my father's older brother), who was a San Diego police officer for 30+ years, had the honor of being one of the four motorcycle escorts in President Kennedy's motorcade during his visit to San Diego in June of 1963. As you might imagine, this is not an every-day type of honor, and to be picked as one of a very choice few officers for this assignment was a very great source of pride for our family indeed.

That's him riding along the right side of the car. Along with JFK in the back seat were Governor Edmund G. Brown (glasses) and Senator Clair Engel:





Here's another shot of JFK and the limo, with my uncle in the foreground, taken as they drove past Rudford's Restaurant:



The above photo is now a mural on the outside of the restaurant and is also inside the restaurant's menu:





The bulk of the motorcade route in San Diego was down El Cajon Blvd. Interestingly, albeit tragically, the driver was William Greer, the same driver that drove in the Dallas motorcade, driving the very same Lincoln X-100 limousine as on that fateful day five months later.

a reply to: Monsieur Neary

That is so f*cking awesome. I feel proud for you and your family, your uncle looks really professional.

Obviously, the bit at the end is sad but at least your uncle wasn't present in that motorcade. I can only imagine the trauma that would come with being a part of the company on that day.

Thanks for sharing.

a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Just an observation. Do Americans really eat steak and potatoes for breakfast lol?

a reply to: Wide-Eyes

yes.

do you have bacon where you live?

we eat a lot of that too.

a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Awesome photos and you should be proud.
I wonder if you've ever tried the JFK bacon milkshake?
It sounds interesting and kind of...? at the same time.

originally posted by: Wide-Eyes
a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Just an observation. Do Americans really eat steak and potatoes for breakfast lol?

Yes.
Some of us add eggs to that meal.

originally posted by: butcherguy

originally posted by: Wide-Eyes
a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Just an observation. Do Americans really eat steak and potatoes for breakfast lol?

Yes.
Some of us add eggs to that meal.

That explains a lot...

originally posted by: DerBeobachter

originally posted by: butcherguy

originally posted by: Wide-Eyes
a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Just an observation. Do Americans really eat steak and potatoes for breakfast lol?

Yes.
Some of us add eggs to that meal.

That explains a lot...

So everyone that has eaten steak, eggs and homefries looks like that?

You are better off eating your heaviest meal in the morning and eating a light lunch and dinner.

originally posted by: Wide-Eyes
a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Just an observation. Do Americans really eat steak and potatoes for breakfast lol?

I just had Argentinean chorizo with flat bread and coffee. Fancy breakfasts every Sunday, quality time

a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Awesome !

I wonder if your uncle thought what he could do if he was there the day JFK was killed. Did he ever talk to you about it?

Great pictures !! How awesome you can say this about your family !!..... Thank you for sharing , that was really cool.........Also, gotta love the fact that the restaurant advertised air conditioning back then.......and don't forget the fried chicken and waffles for breakfast ! ( yum ).

originally posted by: Wide-Eyes
a reply to: Monsieur Neary

That is so f*cking awesome. I feel proud for you and your family, your uncle looks really professional.

Obviously, the bit at the end is sad but at least your uncle wasn't present in that motorcade. I can only imagine the trauma that would come with being a part of the company on that day.

Thanks for sharing.

You know, I think about that too. What if the assassination had been carried out that day in June instead of November? How his life would have changed (and somewhat by extension, the rest of the family).

originally posted by: Trueman
a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Awesome !

I wonder if your uncle thought what he could do if he was there the day JFK was killed. Did he ever talk to you about it?

No, he and I never talked about that aspect. We didn't see very much of each other as I was growing up, and I was quite young when we did. Unfortunately, he is now gone. I should ask my older brother, as he stayed more in touch with him as we got older.

What a great thing to have in your family history. Have you eaten for free at that place in honour of your Uncle? By the way, I just had a Mexicana Pizza Tortilla for lunch, and I'm English.

originally posted by: CulturalResilience
What a great thing to have in your family history. Have you eaten for free at that place in honour of your Uncle? By the way, I just had a Mexicana Pizza Tortilla for lunch, and I'm English.

No, We don't go to San Diego very often, but that restaurant would be on the itinerary. Love to snag me one of those menus!

Maybe you could do a Man v Food Challenge when you go there. If you do, please film it and post footage.
a reply to: Monsieur Neary

Hell yeah, Texas sized! Great post, much respect!a reply to: Wide-Eyes

originally posted by: abe froman
a reply to: Wide-Eyes

yes.

do you have bacon where you live?

we eat a lot of that too.

I'm British so yes, we love bacon.

My usual breakfast treat is Sausages, egg, bacon, tomatoes and black pudding. Steak for breakfast is seldom on the menu.

Occasionally I have hash browns too.