"SCOTTISH REGIMENT CARRIES COLORS OF THE BRITISH"

KENNEDYS OBSERVE BLACK WATCH PERFORMANCE FROM TRUMAN BALCONY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 13, 1963, the Royal Highland Black Watch* performed for the First Family and their guests on the South Lawn of the White House.

While the President and Mrs. Kennedy, Caroline and John F. Kennedy, Jr. sat on the Truman Balcony**, 1700 children representing agencies supported by the United Givers Fund observed from the grounds.

In his formal remarks, President Kennedy said...

"This (Scottish) regiment has carried the colors of the British race around the globe for several centuries."

*Royal Highland Black Watch represent the 42nd & 73rd Scottish Infantry Regiment of the British Army founded in 1729 & known for wearing dark tartan uniforms.

**The Truman Balcony on the South Portico of The White House was built at a cost of $15,000 during the administration of Harry S Truman.

SOURCE

"JFK Enjoyed Black Watch Perform 50 Years Ago Today," JFK+50, November 13, 2013, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Edinburgh Castle

Photo by Stefan Schafer, Lich

2012

"I'VE MADE MY DECISION"

'UNUSUAL ACTIVITY' REPORTED IN KEY WEST'

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 21, 1962, the Washington Post reported "unusual activity" in Key West, Florida.  The "sudden appearance" of United States Marines in the city "spark(ed) wide speculation as to their ultimate objective."

After attending Sunday morning religious services, President John F. Kennedy met with his advisers.  Each one had the opportunity to give his opinion on what Mr. Kennedy's response should be to the placement of offensive nuclear weapons in Cuba by the Soviet Union.

The President then went out on the Truman Balcony* for a breath of fresh air.  He walked back inside the Second Floor Sitting Room and according to Edward McDermott, Director of the Office of Energy Management, said...

"I've made my decision."

*Truman Balcony is the 2nd floor balcony of the White House which overlooks the South Lawn & was completed in March 1948 during the presidency of Harry S Truman.  Barack & Michelle Obama said it was their favorite spot in the Executive Mansion.

 SOURCE

"JFK:  Day By Day," by Terry Golway & Les Krantz, 2010. 

 

 

 

Truman Balcony

The White House

Washington, D.C.

Photo by GearedBull (WTCA) 2008

www.wikimedia.org/

  

JOHNNY, I HARDLY KNEW YE XV

July 28, 2012

"JOHNNY, I HARDLY KNEW YE" XV

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today we continue our report of Chapter 12 of the book by Kenneth P. O'Donnell & David F. Powers with Joe McCarthy.  It is published by Little, Brown & Company.

The title of Chapter 12 is "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye"


Kenneth O'Donnell writes that before JFK returned to Washington after the July  4th, 1963 weekend at Hyannis Port, he had been "able to play five holes of golf for the 1st time in 2 years."


Kenny goes on to tell us that during July, Dave Powers "spent almost every night with the President after he worked late or took an evening swim..."


During the evening they would sit out on the TRUMAN BALCONY* & listen to records on the stereo (phonograph).


JFK's favorites were dance songs of the 1930s & 1940s.  He liked....


'Beyond the Blue Horizon'
'The Very Thought of You'
'Stardust'
'Stormy Weather'
'Body & Soul'


Despite his troubles both foreign & domestic as President of the United States, Kenny says that in the summer of 1963 "(JFK) seemed....more forceful & sure of himself, & more relaxed & happier than we had ever seen him to be."


*In 1947, President Harry S Truman proposed a balcony be installed on the South Portico of the White House adjacent to the Yellow Oval Room on the 2nd floor.


While the proposal did raise controversy, architect William Adams Delano approved the cost estimate of $16,050.74.  


Truman provided for the funds from his household account & the Truman Balcony was completed in March 1948.

                  The Truman Balcony
                          South Portico
                      The White House
              Washington, D.C. (2008)