but I distinctly remember when JFK was killed.

I was in ninth grade. I was in study hall with my algebra teacher, Mr. Henson, as proctor.

As it so happened, I was looking at him when the news was broadcast. Mr. Henson had a transistor radio with him and he was listening to it via an ear piece. I happened to look in his direction when the first news was broadcast of the assassination. The man literally turned white. He fumbled with the volume, all the time with a look on his face of absolute incredulity and despair.

Then, he turned it off, took out the ear piece, and told us in a shaky voice what had just happened. No one in that room will ever forget it.

A few minutes later, the principal made an announcement about it on the PA. A bit later, the bell rang and we went to our next period. Mr. Latimer, my speech teacher was very subdued. Halfway into the period, we were all sent home.

For my parents, the defining moment of their young lives was Pearl Harbor. For me, it was the Kennedy assassination. For my kids, it was September 11. I don't want to even imagine what it will be for my granddaughter.