A moment in time turned presidential history: Family reflects on meeting the Kennedys
By Arielle Mitropoulos
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NASHUA, New Hampshire (WMUR) — On a cold and snowy winter day 66 years ago in Nashua, New Hampshire, history was made, as a then-young Sen. John F. Kennedy, alongside his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, held the first event of his presidential campaign. He would soon be catapulted into national political stardom when he ascended to the White House.
In the crowd of supporters on Jan. 25, 1960, was a young family from Nashua: Maurice and Margaret Ravenelle, and their three children, Michelle, Raymond, and 3-month-old Thomas.
“[It was] spur of the moment decided to. ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ We got the kids dressed and took off,” Mrs. Ravenelle, who is now 91, told WMUR.
Mr. Ravenelle, who died last year, was a longtime postal worker, and they decided they wanted to go see Kennedy speak. The utter convenience of parking at the post office sealed the deal for the busy parents.
“We weren’t sure we were going to go — my husband’s day off was Monday,” Mrs. Ravenelle said. “It wasn’t too far from city hall. He could park in there because there was no parking [at city hall].”
Though Mrs. Ravenelle ended up falling on the ice and slush, they made it to the speech, where they listened to the future president make his pitch.
Though no one seems to know exactly how it happened — somehow, Mrs. Ravenelle and the children found themselves in front of the Kennedys. Mrs. Ravenelle held baby Thomas while her children, Michelle and Raymond, stood next to her. They exchanged a few words, and a photo was captured of the moment, cementing their story in history and even circulating in magazines.
“I saw the picture in a magazine. U.S. News and World Report that we used to get,” Mrs. Ravenelle said.
The photo through the years has followed the family — a personal memento of sorts, but also a true moment in presential history. Thomas Ravenelle, the baby in the photo, is now 66 years old and retired from an impressive career with the FBI. His siblings are also working hard for the Nashua Police Department and Stop & Shop.
Mrs. Ravenelle, who was married to her husband for nearly 70 years, said that she is certain her husband would have loved to talk about the stories of that special day in Nashua. She remains active and politically engaged, and still firmly believes that it is of the utmost importance for everyone to vote.
“Everybody should pay attention. And, know what’s going on and vote,” she said.
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