Op-Ed

A Personal Reminiscence of Edward Moore Kennedy

Standing For Peace, April 26, 2008, Hyannisport

By Paul Rifkin

A few weeks ago on April 26, I had the pleasure of visiting Senator Edward Kennedy in his Hyannisport home.  I was there to do a video interview with him for a project for the Falmouth Historical Society.

After the interview I couldn't keep myself from bringing up the subject of the Iraq war.

I told him of the activities of the Falmouth peace people. The Senator said he was familiar with our activities and that he was proud of the work we were doing.

I told him that four Cape Codders (Sarah Thacher of Dennis, Diane Turco of Harwich, Mike Risch of Falmouth and myself of Falmouth and Cotuit) had been arrested at Congressman Delahunt's office in Hyannis bearing witness for peace March 20th  which was the fifth "anniversary of the Iraq War/Occupation.

Mr Kennedy replied "Bill Delahunt is a good guy" and I responded saying he's a good guy but needs to take the next step by refusing to vote for any further war funding.

I invited the Senator to come stand at the Falmouth Anti-War Vigil any Saturday morning at 11 at the Main Street Post Office.

He told me of legislation he is working on to help the four million displaced Iraqi citizens. I thanked him for that and for all he has done for Cape Cod.

As a history major ( I graduated from George Washington University during the Kennedy/Johnson Presidencies) it was thrilling to be in the Senator's house. The walls were covered with photos and memorabilia highlighting the past century. Viewing photos of Jack, Bobby and their father Ambassador Joseph Kennedy gave me chills and brought a tear to my eye.

"The Constitution does not just protect those whose views we share; it also protects those with whose views we disagree."
  - Sen. Edward M. KennedyThe Senator and his assistant Judy Campbell were warm and gracious to me.

This great man carries forward the lineage of the great Kennedy dynasty which in my mind represents what is (or perhaps was) the best of American idealism and morality.

Having had the honor and pleasure of meeting the greatest legislator of my lifetime is something I will never forget.

I presented the Senator with a "Stand for Peace" button from our group FalmouthPeace. He graciously posed for the photo here.

My humble prayers will be for Senator Kennedy to be able to remain representing Cape Cod, Massachusetts and the United States (and shining a light on our country which will allow the rest of the world to see that there is still some goodness and decency here) for as long as possible and that he has peace within which radiates out and brings about Peace on Earth.