REMAINS OF TWO KENNEDY CHILDREN NOW LIE BESIDE JFK IN ARLINGTON
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 5, 1963, The Evening Star reports "two children of President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy who died at or soon after birth now lie beside their father in Arlington Cemetery."
The remains of the infants "were placed there last night...on either side of their father" writes Wilfrid C. Rodgers* of the Boston Globe.
The former First Lady said "it was what her husband would have wanted."
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy** died two days after birth on August 9, 1963. His remains were first interred at Hollyhood Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts. President Kennedy was overheard to say at the graveside service, "He seems so alone here."
The other child, an unnamed girl, was stillborn on August 23, 1956 & was first buried in Newport, Rhode Island.
The remains of both infants were transported to Washington, D.C. on the Kennedy family airplane, 'Caroline.'
A 20 minute private service was conducted by the light of 'The Eternal Flame' at Arlington National Cemetery. Eight persons attended in addition to Mrs. Kennedy, five were family members.
*Wilfrid C. Rodgers graduated Harvard University 1959 & covered the Kennedy White House as part of a 45 career as reporter, columnist & editor of The Boston Globe.
**Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was born at Otis AFB Hospital in Bourne, Massachusetts 5 1/2 weeks prematurely on Aug 7 1963. Weighing only 4 lbs 10 1/2 oz. Patrick died of complications of hyaline membrane disease on Aug 9 1963 in Boston. He was named after his great grandfather, Patrick Joseph Kennedy & his mother's maiden name.
JFK+50 NOTE
Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD) is now known as Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS) and is the leading cause of morbidity & mortality in pre-mature infants affecting 1% of newborns. IRDS is caused by the baby not having enough surfactant, a liquid which coats the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
SOURCES
"Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Newborn," Nationwide Children's, www.nationwidechildrens.org/
"Two Kennedy Children Reburied Beside Father," by Wilfrid C. Rodgers, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 5, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
