KENNEDYS GET A GUIDED TOUR OF GETTYSBURG
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) On March 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, along with his wife Jacqueline and daughter Caroline, toured the Gettysburg battlefield accompanied by National Park Service historian Jacob Sheads*. Along with the First Family for the tour was Paul Fay, Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
The group drove up from Camp David, Maryland after attending church. They arrived about 11:30 a.m. after a 30 minute drive. Mr. Sheads**, who met the presidential party at Edgewood Bowling Lanes, later said...
"(JFK's) coming the hell up the Emmitsburg Road (with) the Secret Service...trying to catch up..."
The Gettysburg Battlefield tour, which lasted a couple of hours, ended with the return of the First Family to the White House by helicopter. On April 4, 1963, JFK sent a thank you letter to Colonel Sheads along with an autographed photo.
*Jacob 'Mett' Sheads (1910-2002) graduated from Gettysburg College in 1932 and later earned a Masters Degree in History. JS taught English and History at Gettysburg High School for 35 years with interruptions for service in WWII and Korea. After service, he was a Lt. Col in the US Army Reserve.
**Col. Sheads was selected by the Secret Service upon recommendation from a former student of the Colonel's who was dating an agent. During a run-through with the SS, Sheads was instructed "not to let (JFK) out of the car" but JFK 'had a mind of his own.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) On March 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, along with his wife Jacqueline and daughter Caroline, toured the Gettysburg battlefield accompanied by National Park Service historian Jacob Sheads*. Along with the First Family for the tour was Paul Fay, Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
The group drove up from Camp David, Maryland after attending church. They arrived about 11:30 a.m. after a 30 minute drive. Mr. Sheads**, who met the presidential party at Edgewood Bowling Lanes, later said...
"(JFK's) coming the hell up the Emmitsburg Road (with) the Secret Service...trying to catch up..."
The Gettysburg Battlefield tour, which lasted a couple of hours, ended with the return of the First Family to the White House by helicopter. On April 4, 1963, JFK sent a thank you letter to Colonel Sheads along with an autographed photo.
*Jacob 'Mett' Sheads (1910-2002) graduated from Gettysburg College in 1932 and later earned a Masters Degree in History. JS taught English and History at Gettysburg High School for 35 years with interruptions for service in WWII and Korea. After service, he was a Lt. Col in the US Army Reserve.
**Col. Sheads was selected by the Secret Service upon recommendation from a former student of the Colonel's who was dating an agent. During a run-through with the SS, Sheads was instructed "not to let (JFK) out of the car" but JFK 'had a mind of his own.
Paul Fay III, Paul Fay, Jr. Col. Sheads
Mrs. Kennedy, JFK and Mrs. Anita Fay
Gettysburg NMP
Gettysburgdaily.com Photo
