Mr. President, Don't Let The Russians Kill Santa!

In this Nov. 9, 1960 photo, Caroline Kennedy gets a piggy-back ride from her father,
Sen. John F. Kennedy, in Hyannis Port, Mass. (The Associated Press)

In 1961 at the height of the Cold War, eight-year-old Michelle Rochon of Marine City Michigan overheard her parents talking about the Russians testing bombs at the North Pole. Worried that this would prevent Santa  from visiting her home on Christmas Eve she wrote a letter to the president.

Dear Mr. Kennedy,

Please stop the Russians from bombing the North Pole because they will kill Santa Claus.
I am 8 years old. I am in the third grade at Holy Cross School. 

Yours truly,
Michelle Rochon.

When media got wind of it she became a mini celebrity and about a week later she received the following reply from President Kennedy:

Dear Michelle, 

I was glad to get your letter about trying to stop the Russians from bombing the North Pole and risking the life of Santa Claus.
I share your concern about the atmospheric testing of the Soviet Union, not only for the North Pole but for countries throughout the world; not only for Santa Claus but for people throughout the world.
However, you must not worry about Santa Claus. I talked with him yesterday and he is fine. He will be making his rounds again this Christmas. 

Sincerely,
John Kennedy

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