History books only provide cold facts and details, while political analysts focus on the consequences of that terrible day. Dreamers wonder what might have been had the charismatic young president survived. All three groups have difficulty expressing the anger and grief the nation experienced as, for the first time in history, news of a presidential assassination was televised.
In Oh America! Memorial Poems to John F. Kennedy, Doris "Joy" Thurston uses a combination of beautiful illustrations and prose poems to share the deep sense of loss she felt when Kennedy died.
Thurston's poems reflect more than her own grief: they mirror the feelings of a nation. The collection moves from themes of shock to anger and sadness, ultimately developing into hope as the United States joins together to overcome tragedy.
For those who experienced the Kennedy assassination firsthand, Thurston's poems evoke poignant memories. For younger generations, the collection puts a human face on history. And for a country struggling with increasingly divisive politics, Oh America! reminds us we can unite and rise up stronger than ever.
About the Author: Doris "Joy" Thurston studied art for two years at Syracuse University before joining the Women's Army Corps in 1943 following the death of a friend. During her WAC service, Doris worked in three hospitals and sketched portraits of a battalion of young men training for overseas combat at Camp Van Dorn, MI. She later learned the entire battalion died on D-Day, and hopes her sketches gave the soldiers' families some comfort.
During the war the army made good use of Doris's talents for drawing, dancing, and singing. She created an original WAC show and starred in Call Me Mrs., a musical which toured five southern states.
After the war Doris completed her education, receiving a painting diploma from Boston Museum School and an education degree from Tufts. She spent six years studying dance in New York City. Doris combined her talents professionally, touring internationally and drawing portraits while singing.
