5A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2018
LOOKING BACK AT
ROBERT F. KENNEDY’S
VISIT TO ASTORIA
The Daily Astorian
H
undreds greeted Robert F. Kennedy at an airport near Astoria on May 24, 1968. The U.S. senator
from New York was campaigning ahead of the Oregon Democratic presidential primary. After briefly
addressing the crowd, Kennedy and a crew of campaign staffers and volunteers, media and state
officials then headed for Fort Stevens State Park. Kennedy was filmed walking 1 1/2 miles along the shoreline.
Kennedy then went to downtown Astoria, where roughly 3,000 spectators had been waiting for hours. He gave
a 20-minute speech, went to meet Bumble Bee seafood cannery workers and then departed for other stops along
the Oregon Coast. Less than two weeks later, Kennedy was shot and killed after a victory speech in California.
Supporters wait for Kennedy on an airport tar-
mac near Astoria.
Photos by Clyde Keller/clydekellerphoto.com
Kennedy addresses a crowd in downtown As-
toria on May 24, 1968.
Kennedy greets spectators after his plane landed near Astoria.
Kennedy sprints into the ocean at Fort Stevens State Park.
LEFT: Kennedy walks along the shoreline at Fort Stevens State Park with his wife, Ethel, and dog, Freckles. MIDDLE: Kennedy gives a speech in downtown Astoria.
RIGHT: Kennedy greets supporters in downtown Astoria. BELOW: Kennedy strolls along the beach at Fort Stevens State Park with his dog, Freckles.