HERE RESTS AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD

JFK+50 RECALLS PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S LAST MEMORIAL DAY 

Arlington, Virginia (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy  attended his last Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1963.

JFK laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers* and also paid his respects at the grave of the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal.

The Tomb of the Unknowns contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.The Tomb is guarded by members of the United States Army 3rd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia.

The main tomb has the following inscription..."Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."

*The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers was dedicated by President Warren G. Harding in 1921.   The Tomb Guard changes every 2 hours & has continuously watched over the Tomb of the Unknowns since 1937.

Arlington National Cemetery

Photo by John White (2017)

Guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns

Arlington National Cemetery

Photo by John White (2017)

                          

                   

                             

JFK'S LAST MEMORIAL DAY

JFK ATTENDS LAST MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, May 30, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, accompanied by his young son, John F. Kennedy, Jr., attended his last Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery.

JFK laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and paid his respects at the grave of the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers include graves of Americans who died in both world wars and the Korean Conflict.

The main tomb has the following inscription:

"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington National Cemetery

LESLEY GORE SINGS ON AMERICAN BANDSTAND

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, May 30, 1963, 17 year old Lesley Gore appeared on the television show "American Bandstand" and sang her latest hit record "Its My Party".*

Lesley Gore was signed by Mercury Records' Quincy Jones who saw her perform in a Manhattan night club.  Just six weeks later, "Its My Party" was recorded.   One week after her appearance on Bandstand, "Its My Party" climbed to #1 on the pop charts.

Lesley Gore

JFK AT ARLINGTON ON MEMORIAL DAY 1963

JFK VISITS ARLINGTON ON MEMORIAL DAY 

"The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it.  And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission."

                                                                                                                               John F. Kennedy

Arlington, Virginia (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, accompanied by 2 1/2 year old John F. Kennedy, Jr. attended a Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1963, 51 years ago.

Tragically, it would be President Kennedy's last Memorial Day.

The President laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and also paid his respects at the grave of the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal*.

       JFK at Arlington National Cemetery
                              May 30, 1963
                   Photo by Cecil Stoughton
                          JFK Library Image

The Tomb of the Unknowns contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

                   Tomb of the Unknowns
             Arlington National Cemetery
                 Photo by Raul654 (2004)

The Tomb is guarded every day of the year by members of the United States Army, 3rd Infantry Division.  

The main tomb has the following inscription:

"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."

            Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
            Arlington National Cemetery

*James Forrestal (1892-1949) was born in Matteawan, New York.  He was educated at Dartmouth College and Princeton where he was voted 'Most Likely to Succeed.'

Forrestal was a naval aviator in WWI and became FDR's administrative assistant in 1940.  He later served as undersecretary of the Navy and was appointed the 1st secretary of the newly christened DEFENSE DEPARTMENT by Harry S Truman.

JF died from a fall from his room in the high tower of Bethesda Medical Center where he was undergoing treatment for mental depression.

                             James Forrestal

                        1st Defense Secretary

JFK'S LAST MEMORIAL DAY AT ARLINGTON

May 27, 2013

JFK'S LAST MEMORIAL DAY AT ARLINGTON

Arlington, Virginia (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, accompanied by 2 1/2 year old John F. Kennedy, Jr. attended his last Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1963, 50 years ago this week.

The President laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and also paid his respects at the grave of the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal*.

       JFK at Arlington National Cemetery
                 Memorial Day Observances
                              May 30, 1963
                   Photo by Cecil Stoughton
                          JFK Library Image


The Tomb of the Unknowns contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

                   Tomb of the Unknowns
             Arlington National Cemetery
                 Photo by Raul654 (2004)

The Tomb is guarded 24/7 every day of the year by members of the United States Army 3rd Infantry Division.

The main tomb has the following inscription:

"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."

            Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
            Arlington National Cemetery

*James Forrestal (1892-1949) was born in Matteawan, New York.  He was educated at Dartmouth College and Princeton where he was voted 'Most Likely to Succeed.'

Forrestal was a naval aviator in WWI and became FDR's administrative assistant in 1940.  He later served as undersecretary of the Navy and was appointed the 1st secretary of the newly christened DEFENSE DEPARTMENT by Harry S Truman.

JF died from a fall from his room in the high tower of Bethesda Medical Center where he was undergoing treatment for mental depression.

                              James Forrestal
                        1st Defense Secretary

JFK+50 NOTE

On the front page of today's NEWS-SENTINEL there is an article about a Knoxville man, Brian Murphy, who was a guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in 1992 and 1993.  

The article, written by Fred Brown, says...

"Guards walk along a rubber mat in front of the tomb.  They take a measured 21 steps in 21 seconds, stop and return down the mat for another 21 steps in 21 seconds."

Fred Brown writes that the guards work shifts of 24 hours but take a day off in between.  In winter they guard 1 hour, have an hour off, and then return.  In the summer that is reduced to 30 minutes because of the heat.

Mr. Brown's article concludes with these words from Brian Murphy...

"Being a guard was a great honor for me.  I just feel proud and blessed.  Looking back on it all and reflecting is humbling."

SOURCE

"Pride, perfection at storied monument," by Fred Brown, Knoxville News Sentinel, May 27, 2013.