AMERICA REACTED TO FDR'S DEATH

His passing shocked and saddened the nation. Within the FDR memorial, there is a sculpted relief portraying FDR's funeral procession. The relief is not historical, but rather symbolic in illustrating FDR's importance to America. Just as FDR was close to the American people, people closely follow his horse led casket. You also see people weeping and physically supporting each other as they walk, as if they cannot continue without the strength of their president. Many people saw FDR as much more than a president. Many saw him as a father figure, who cared for and helped the American people for 12 tenuous years.

Imagine being in first grade when FDR is elected president. By the time you are a senior in high school, FDR is still the president of the country. He is the only president you have known. He helped your father get a job during the Depression. During the war he helped you understand why your brother must fight overseas. FDR's portrait hangs in your house, alongside the portrait of Jesus. Imagine you unexpectedly hear on the radio that FDR is dead. You cannot believe he is gone. Everyone around you is in shock or crying. You wonder what will happen to the country now. You worry that we will lose the war. You wonder if our nation will survive without President Roosevelt to guide us.