I got a call on Thursday letting me know that a friend and fellow Pearl City Community Association Board Member Jaci Agustin had just purchased a book written by President John F. Kennedy that was published in 1960 when he was a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. Jaci was in between classes at the University of Hawaii in Manoa when she purchased a copy of "The Strategy of Peace" at a used book sale.
With a few minutes to spare before her next class, Jaci stopped and sat down to admire her new book that she was excited to soon add to her collection at home. As she turned the first few pages, a business card dropped from the book into her lap. Now this wasn't any ordinary business card. After further review, Jaci became overwhelmed with emotion when she realized that business card that read, "John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Senator, Massachusetts" along with his "Jack Kennedy" signature, was most likely authentic and if so, a part of history.
I caught up with Jaci late Friday afternoon and asked her about her thoughts with regard to such a life changing find?
“Usually when I’m at school at UH I just go to class," said Jaci. "Because I’m so busy, I never just cruise around, but yesterday I had just a few minutes in between classes and came across an area on campus where they sometimes sell fruits and vegetables, or items like phone case covers, but yesterday they were selling books. I had a few minutes so I began digging through the books. The thing is I never carry cash. I hardly ever have money, but I happened to have a dollar in my bag yesterday and used that dollar to buy the book I found that I thought would be pretty cool on my book shelf, plus the content was interesting, JFK. So I bought my book for a dollar, walked away, and went and found a bench and starting reading it. As I flipped open the pages a business card fell right into my lap. I thought it must be from the previous owner, somebody’s business card. As I looked at it, it said,”John Fitzgerald Kennedy". But then I read the other part of the card and it said, "Senator, Massachusetts". It didn’t click right away that this is JFK’s business card! I looked at it close and said wait, there’s a signature on here that reads, "Jack Kennedy". Wow!"
To add a bit of irony to the story, on Thursday, as I was watching national television news coverage of the San Bernardino shootings. President Kennedy's message of Peace was mentioned. That very same day, Jaci is blessed with a copy of the late President's strategy and vision for Peace. I believe it was meant to be.
"Some people say, oh you’re so lucky," Jaci commented. "Yes, I believe in luck, but I think it’s some kind of blessing. It’s a blessing, not necessarily luck. It’s meant to be for some reason. I need to look at it, read the book and use it for something good. I know I found Peace."
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Jaci Agustin is pictured holding a copy of Senator John F. Kennedy's "The Strategy of Peace"
and an autographed business card on Friday, December 4, 2015 in Aiea.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]