The assassination of John F. Kennedy half a century ago shocked Hartford, Connecticut, the nation and the world. Like most radio stations WDRC immediately suspended normal programming and covered the resulting tragic weekend with non-stop news coverage.

WDRC's Assistant General Manager and Program Director, Charlie Parker, wrote this moving tribute to the dead president. The text was recorded on the day of Kennedy's funeral by WDRC News Director Joe Barbarette and aired numerous times in the following days. The audio clip here features Long John Wade delivering Earwitness News shortly after the assassination and Senator Abraham Ribicoff's reaction to the Open Letter.

The response was overwhelming. Listeners swamped the station for reprints of the Open Letter to JFK. This image was generously provided by Paul Bezanker.