I read, with interest, the story on Sept. 28 about President Lyndon B. Johnson’s visit to Portland in 1964 (“When Lyndon B. Johnson came to Portland 60 years ago, a hundred thousand followed“).
My father, Nicholas Pitarys, was a reporter for the Press Herald and Evening Express. At that time the paper published twice daily, morning and afternoon, as well as the Sunday edition.
My family – including my younger brother, sister, mom and dad – watched the president from the windows of the city room of the Gannett Building across the street from City Hall. I can’t remember if it was the second or third floor, and even though I was but 10 at the time I well recall the mass of people between our position and the steps of City Hall, completely filling and blocking Congress Street.
The thing I remember most was my father’s admonition not to make sudden or furtive movements while we hung in the windows because, after the Kennedy assassination 10 months earlier, the Secret Service would not take it lightly.
George Pitarys
Hudson, N.H.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.