Cuban Missile Crisis

J.F.K. Ð'- Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cold War was very much alive during a span of thirteen days in October 1962. The Soviet Union established offensive nuclear missile facilities in Cuba, just 90 miles away from the United States. The Russians claimed these weapons were for defensive purposes for their Cuban ally. The U.S. had recently tried to gain control of the Cuban government one year earlier in the "Bay of Pigs," hence; the Russians felt this action was justified. Fidel Castro's army defeated the C.I.A. rebellions, and President John F. Kennedy was severely embarrassed. However, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a defining moment in history for J.F.K., for he might have prevented the start of World War III.

Most Americans were in a state of shock when this information leaked to the Press. Schools throughout the country were conducting practice drills for a possible nuclear attack, such as children crawling underneath their desks. Our current generation has experienced this type of fear as did our past fellow citizens. After 9/11, many people feared more terrorist attacks. People took public transportation with a "wide-open eye mentality." Anthrax scares were abundant throughout the U.S. The fundamental trust all Americans had for their safety was now lost. I was one of these victims of fear, for I was constantly reminded of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

A famous phrase stated by J.F.K. in his inaugural address, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," (Washington, D.C., January 20, 1961) depicts how Kennedy processed during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy's high ranking U.S. military officials wanted to invade Cuba, and strike the Russians hard before they could develop more nuclear arsenals. Kennedy didn't jump into the boxing ring without exploring all of the options. He wanted a consensus among his top advisors before making a decision on what to do in Cuba. One advisor was his brother, the Attorney General, Robert Kennedy. J.F.K. and his brother formed a close alliance during these thirteen days of headaches. The consensus was to initiate a blockade of all ships and vessels around Cuba, several hundred miles away from the border. All ships were to be searched for any materials that were to be used for building and maintaining offensive weapons and their facilities.

This was the right decision made by J.F.K. In avoiding a military attack, thousands, perhaps millions of lives were saved. The actions of the Chief of Staffs of our military seemed to be one of disappointment. They wanted to take charge and seek revenge against the Russians. The U.S. government was lied to and this was not acceptable, according to our top military officials. What Kennedy did for our country, was to reinstate a sense of security among the people. I'd like to have a president like Kennedy in the oval office today, for all issues would surely be analyzed prior to engaging in a major activity. A commander in chief approach would be the standard for decision making in our country. According to Robert Healy of the Boston Globe:

Kennedy was a product of World