Image of the Kennedys disembarking Air Force One at Dallas Love Field
A number of similar handmade signs were freely distributed to spectators at Dallas Love Field on the morning of November 22, 1963. Although the wording on the roughly handwritten signs differed, all referenced "Grassroots Democrats," with some also indicating an affiliation with nearby Southern Methodist University. Slogans on these signs included: "All the Way with JFK," "Welcome Jack," and "We Love Jackie." One of these signs, the only surviving example known to exist, is in the Museum's Collection, 2018.021.0002 - https://emuseum.jfk.org/objects/56406/.
Other homemade signs, different from the "Grassroots Democrats" signs, can be seen facing the photographer in this image, including one that reads "Grand Prairie Democrats Welcomes You." While running for president in September 1960, Senator Kennedy had visited Grand Prairie in Dallas County, thirteen miles west of downtown Dallas. Today, there is a John F. Kennedy Middle School in Grand Prairie. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator