President Kennedy observes moment of silence, Veterans Day ceremonies, Arlington, November 11, 1963

[mahatmakanejeeves]

President John F. Kennedy (in group at center left) observes a moment of silence after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Also pictured: Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General David M. Shoup; Commanding General of the Military District of Washington, Major General Philip C. Wehle; Administrator of the Veterans Administration (VA), General John S. Gleason; Military Aide to the President, General Chester V. Clifton; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; Naval Aide to the President, Captain Tazewell Shepard; President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Luther Skaggs, Jr.; Sergeant Allen Eldredge; Assistant Press Secretary, Malcolm Kilduff; White House correspondent for United Press International (UPI), Helen Thomas; White House Secret Service agents, Emory Roberts and Jack Ready.

Person(s)
Clifton, Chester V. (Chester Victor), 1913-1991
Eldredge, Allen
Gleason, John S. (John Simon), 1915-1993
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
Kilduff, Malcolm M., 1927-2003
McHugh, Godfrey T., 1911-1997
Ready, Jack (John David), 1927-2014
Roberts, Emory P., 1915?-1973
Shepard, Tazewell (Tazewell Taylor), 1921-2013
Shoup, David M. (David Monroe), 1904-1983
Skaggs, Luther, 1923-1976
Thomas, Helen (Helen Amelia), 1920-2013
Wehle, Philip C. (Philip Campbell), 1906-1978

Photographer(s)
Knudsen, Robert L. (Robert LeRoy), 1929-1989

{snip}

Source: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKWHP/1963/Month%2011/Day%2011/JFKWHP-1963-11-11-B

Earlier, sixty years ago today:

Description
President John F. Kennedy lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of Veterans Day remembrances. Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Credit Line
Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston

{snip}

Source: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKWHP/1961/Month%2011/Day%2011/JFKWHP-1961-11-11-A

[llmart]

1. If you've never been...

the JFK Presidential Library is one of the most fascinating collections of presidential history I've ever visited. You could spend hours there.

[Paladin]

2. JFK had 11 days to live, after those photos.

I've paid my respects at his grave, there in Arlington.

[sarge43]

3. Fair winds and following seas, Sailor.

I had the honor of serving under his command

22 Nov 63 was a terrible day.

[FailureToCommunicate]

4. That is incredible. What an honor that must have been!

There are so many interesting back stories among the members of DU !!



-FTC

[sarge43]

6. Yes it was. Point of pride

Unlike the monster who shall not be named, Kennedy knew exactly what the Unknowns mean. Every veteran, especially combat ones, knows "But for the grace of God, go I".

[Joinfortmill]

7. One of the greats.

[FakeNoose]

8. Let us remember that President John F. Kennedy himself was a wounded Vet of WWII

Thank you for your service, sir!

My sincere gratitude to all Veterans.

[iluvtennis]

11. I never knew JFK was a veteran - thank you for my "learned something new today" moment.

Thanks!

[FakeNoose]

12. There's a movie called "PT109" that tells the story of his Navy days

As a young man in the Navy - Pacific theater - Kennedy commanded a PT boat that was sunk by the Japanese. He swam for something like 12 hours, saved his own life and another sailor. The injury to his back plagued him with back pains for the rest of his life.

[Snackshack]

9. JFK

Like Lincoln was one of the few Presidents who (not in the group of founders) really understood what this is all’s about. Who really understood what service and sacrifice to the idea of a nation really meant and require. He was not perfect, no one is but the altruism of his intentions was clear.

In what many regard as JFK’s greatest speech at the American University in June of 1963 and IMO is the most succinct and eloquent description of our species and our hopes ever made by any President.

“For in the final analysis, our most basic common link, is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children's futures, and we are all mortal.”

JFK’s assassination again like Lincoln was a devastating blow to America and an incalculable set back. Had both of those men lived and been able to see their visions for our futures come to fruition America would be a vastly different country today, (I believe) then what it is. One can only imagine what it might be like.

To all Veterans, Thank you for your service.

[DFW]

10. I can barely make out Helen in that photo

She and my dad were friends for 40 years. I knew her even longer, since my dad introduced us when I was very small, and she and I both outlived him.

Helen and JFK were also a mutual admiration society during his brief presidency. One of her favorite stories was what happened one St. Patrick's Day. She and JFK were in the middle of a conversation when an aide popped in to remind him that he had to leave to take part on a St. Patrick's Day parade. Wanting to continue the conversation, Kennedy told Helen to stay and walk with him. Being pure Lebanese, Helen reminded him, "but I'm not Irish." Kennedy just commented, "nobody's perfect."

[mahatmakanejeeves]

13. Eleven days before his murder, JFK at Arlington National Cemetery for Veterans Day 1963:

Eleven days before his murder, JFK at Arlington National Cemetery for Veterans Day, today 1963: #JFKL

Link to tweet

[roamer65]

14. This man saved the world from nuclear holocaust in October, 1962.

God bless him and his soul.