Caroline Kennedy begins by sharing tender memories of her father, recalling moments of childhood joy and the warmth he brought to his family. She vividly describes hiding beneath his Oval Office desk and sitting on his lap aboard the Honey Fitz, where he playfully pointed out “white sharks” and “purple sharks” that supposedly followed the boat, delighting her with stories of their sock-eating habits. These intimate anecdotes reveal a man who was not only a president but a beloved father and grandfather whose presence shaped the lives of those closest to him.

She reflects on the monumental impact President Kennedy had on America, inspiring a generation to march for justice, serve in the Peace Corps, and reach for the stars in outer space exploration. His brothers continued this mission, fighting for human rights, healthcare, and immigration reform, embodying the values JFK championed. Yet, as Caroline reminds us, the work he began remains unfinished, a responsibility passed down to successive generations to uphold and advance.

Caroline speaks of her unique relationship with her grandfather—someone she never met but feels deeply connected to through history and family stories. She acknowledges the paradox of knowing a person only through the lens of history, yet feeling their influence profoundly in her own life. For her, JFK lives both as a figure rooted in the past and as a continuing presence through his writings and the legacy carried forward by his descendants.

Her admiration for JFK’s courage in confronting inequality and injustice is palpable. She draws a direct line from his era to today’s ongoing struggles with voting rights, criminal justice reform, and mass incarceration. While proud of the progress made since 1963, Caroline emphasizes that much work remains. She calls on all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, to remember JFK’s belief that the rights of one are diminished when the rights of any are threatened.

Highlighting JFK’s inaugural call to action, Caroline underscores that his presidency was defined not by promises but by challenges—tasks he asked the American people to undertake together. She cites her favorite speech, delivered at Rice University, where JFK championed the moon mission not because it was easy, but because it was hard. This speech symbolizes the spirit of tackling great challenges as opportunities, a lesson Caroline believes is vital for her generation facing complex issues like climate change.

She notes JFK’s deep care for science, technology, and the environment, and his conviction that America must lead global efforts to solve pressing problems responsibly. Drawing inspiration from the space program JFK helped launch, Caroline urges today’s generation to meet their challenges with energy, faith, and devotion, just as those before them did. But she stresses that leadership demands accountability, and citizens must actively demand action and participate in democracy by voting.

Closing her reflection, Caroline expresses pride in her father’s enduring values and hopes her words inspire others to address challenges in their own communities. She envisions a future where solutions heal, uplift the forgotten, and make tangible differences in people’s lives—carrying forward the legacy of a man who believed deeply in the power of collective effort and hope.