This book tells what went on in the background to put together a complicated state funeral of a sitting president with no advance notice. This major event of the 20th century set the standard for future state funerals at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC).
I am also re-posting my thread from 2008 which tells the story of the soldier who handled the spirited horse Blackjack; the daunting story of a soldier who bore one corner of JFK's 1,300+ pound casket up and down the Capitol steps; and the story of former Captain Tom Reid who was the site control officer who coordinated the funeral ceremony in ANC only to be fired from this job on the day of the funeral...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2143214/posts
Thank you for re-posting it. Very interesting.
ping
On p. 24 someone says that Kennedy’s grave was moved a year or two after his death. I had never heard anything about this, but apparently it is accurate.
As you are aware, I was there. Nothing glamorious about standing at attention for hours on end, only to be called to “parade rest” for more hours on end, to be called back to attention and march and stand for more hours.
If you go on youtube you can find a three part video of the Irish Army Cadets that did a salute at the graveside of President Kennedy. Very interesting.
Here is a link to a five minute video produced by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Old Guard’s role in JFK’s Funeral. It features former Captain Tom Reid, author/editor of “Their Finest Hour” and former Pfc Andy Anderson, handler of the frisky caparisoned horse Blackjack who stole the show on TV...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkFGjqYzDwQ&feature=youtu.be