TLS signed “John,” one page, 6.25 x 9, House of Representatives letterhead, April 21, 1950. Letter to John G. W. Mahanna, country editor for the Berkshire Evening Eagle, in part: "I have your letter of April 11th, relative to the invitation to me to be guest speaker at the Holy Name Society communion breakfast on June 4th, at St. Mary's School Hall. Today I received the invitation from Mr. Harold V. Keegan, President of the Holy Name Society of St. Mary's, and have replied that I would be most happy to accept it. I didn't have an opportunity to meet Bob Capeless when he came to Washington recently because of the Easter recess, but I hope to meet him soon, possibly at the breakfast." In fine condition, with a small area of singed paper loss to the upper right edge.
Kennedy and John Mahanna, a former editor of the Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, became acquainted when the latter was on leave from the Pacific Theater. Mahanna, one of hundreds of soldiers returning stateside from Japan, had just obtained a San Francisco hotel room when he detected a New England accent attempting to do the very same. Mahanna approached the man and asked him if he'd like to share the room. The stranger, John F. Kennedy, accepted, which in turn led to a lifelong friendship that extended throughout JFK's days in the White House. A highly desirable piece associated with Kennedy's Catholic faith.
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