THE PRESIDENT & JOHN JOHN VISIT ARLINGTON ON VETERAN'S DAY
Arlington, Virginia (JFK+50) On November 11, 1963, John F. Kennedy, Jr. "accompanied his father" to Arlington National Cemetery for Veteran's Day wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
John Jr. "waited by the President's car" as his father participated in the ceremony and when he returned the toddler asked...
"Daddy, where are we going now?"
Although JFK replied, "We're going home, John," the President first participated in ceremonies at the cemetery's amphitheater.
After that, as the President and his son departed for The White House, "John John" stuck his head out of the car window "and waved...at the spectators."
JFK+50 NOTE
The tradition of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier began on November 11, 1921 (Armistice Day^) when President Warren Harding did so at the dedication of the tomb.
^President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name to Veteran's Day in 1954 to honor veterans of all American wars. Armistice Day had honored the dead of World War I marking the end of the war (when the armistice was signed) on Nov. 11, 1918.
SOURCE
"John, Jr., Visits Arlington," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 11, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
