WTVT employees wait for JFK's motorcade to pass by the studios on Grand Central Blvd.  Joe Wiezycki runs the Channel 13 camera positioned atop the portico.
(PHOTO: Tommy Eure)

WTVT mounted a camera atop the studio to catch the action as it passed in front, with the large mobile unit posted closer to downtown to take it moments later as it passed there. They shared coverage with Channel 8's mobile unit.

WFLA positioned its mobile unit at the Armory, covering his arrival, turning southbound on the one-way north Howard Avenue and then pulling in the side entrance to the building.  WFLA fed video and sound to WTVT in-kind of the president’s full appearance inside.  WFLA announcer Sam Latimer was chosen to narrate the cooperative effort.

In that speech, Kennedy talked of the sacrifices he had asked of the business community in not dealing with the Cuban government of Fidel Castro.  Oddly, he also talked about inflation which would be something America would deal with for many years after.

Jim Couey (Tampa Chamber of Commerce president) engaged the president in a question and answer session after the speech, the questions having been submitted by members of the audience of some 8,000 people.

“About half our audience is vitally interested in your political future, Mr. President, immediate and in the more distant future,” Couey asked.  “Which half?,” Kennedy replied.  The audience broke out in laughter.

From the Armory, Kennedy went by motorcade south to Grand Central Avenue, west to Dale Mabry and south back to MacDill Air Force Base.

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