The flags in Dallas are flying at half mast
today as the city holds a memorial service in honor of the 50th
anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination
Moment of silence: The crowd of thousands bowed their heads out of respect at 12.30pm local time
Emotional: Many Americans, including Barbara
Clark, vividly remember where they were when they heard that President
Kennedy had been shot on November 22, 1963
About
5,000 tickets were issued for the free ceremony in Dealey Plaza, which
is flanked by the Texas School Book Depository building where sniper Lee
Harvey Oswald perched on the sixth floor.
The U.S. Naval Academy Men's Glee Club will perform in a nod to Kennedy's military service and there will be an Air Force flyover.
It is a reverential approach that will be mirrored in Boston, where the JFK Library and Museum will open a small exhibit of never-before-displayed items from Kennedy's state funeral and host a musical tribute that isn't open to the public.
In Washington, President Obama will meet privately at the White House with leaders and volunteers from the Kennedy-established Peace Corps program.
The President personally visited the
eternal flame created for Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery on
Wednesday alongside Michelle Obama, former President Clinton and former
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
A number of members of the Kennedy family- including Caroline's son Jack Schlossberg- were in attendance, and he went on to speak at a formal dinner that night that was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Medal of Freedom- an initiative launched by President Kennedy.
The committee convened by current Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to plan the city's event wanted to focus 'in a positive way more on the legacy of President Kennedy,' said Ron Kirk, a former mayor and member of the panel.
Numerous events were held around Dallas this year to mark the milestone anniversary, including panels with those who were there that day, special concerts and museum exhibits.
As press aide for Governor John Connally, Julian Read was in a media bus several vehicles behind the presidential limousine.
After the gunshots, he watched as the vehicle, carrying the mortally wounded Kennedy and injured governor, sped away. Read released a book this year recounting his experience and has attended several of the events, which he called cathartic.
'Even though there are all those melancholy thoughts, the way it's shaping up ... gives me more of a comfort than any time since 1963,' said Read, who will be at the official ceremony Friday.
The Coalition on Political Assassinations, a group that believes Kennedy's death was part of a conspiracy, usually gathers on the plaza's 'grassy knoll' for a moment of silence each November 22.
Since it'll be blocked off this year, executive director John Judge - who first came to Dealey Plaza for the fifth anniversary of JFK's death in 1968 - says he's reached a 'livable' agreement with the city.
The group - which plans to wear specially made T-shirts with an image of Kennedy's head with a bullet hole and blood and the slogan '50 years in denial is enough' - will gather a few blocks away and move to the plaza after the official ceremony ends.
President John F. Kennedy's last surviving sibling, 85-year-old Jean Kennedy Smith, has laid a wreath at her brother's grave at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.
Smith was accompanied Friday morning by about 10 members of the Kennedy family as they marked the 50th anniversary of his assassination in Dallas.
They joined hands for a short prayer in silence and left roses at the grave.
Bagpipes played, a British cavalry officer stood guard and a flame burned steady as it has for the last 50 years at the grave.
A few hundred tourists watched the ceremony, which lasted only a few minutes.
Also today, one of President Kennedy's two granddaughters has paid her respects at the British memorial site in his honor.
A stone tablet and ornate garden were dedicated to President Kennedy in Runnymede in Berkshire, and a service was held there today on the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
The site was unveiled in 1965 by Queen Elizabeth with Jacqueline Kennedy and her two children in tow.
Caroline Kennedy's 23-year-old daughter Tatiana Schlossberg was the family representative there today and she was accompanied by the American ambassador to England.
'We have come here today to honor his memory- as this monument does so well- but today is a difficult day because it is a reminder of a moment of profound sadness for my family, for America and for the world,' she said at the ceremony.
'For me, my grandfather lives in my imagination, in his words, and in the lessons he has left with us. Throughout my life, I have been able to connect with him through the study of history, both by studying his life and by studying the eras and patterns that fascinated him.'
While Caroline's oldest daughter Rose has not been spotted at any
memorial functions, Jack has served as the family's representative at a
number of events held in his grandfather's honor in Washington.
He and his great aunt Ethel Kennedy, who is the widow of JFK's brother Bobby, attended the Medal of Freedom ceremony in the White House on Wednesday.
They then accompanied Presidents Obama and Clinton to Arlington Ceremony where they paid their respects at the eternal flame that Jackie had made in her husband's honor.
Caroline, who is now the sole surviving member of President Kennedy's immediate family, has not participated in any of the events leading up to the anniversary of her father's death as she is just beginning her tenure as the new American ambassador to Japan.
In Boston, the private musical tribute will feature Paul Winter, whose jazz sextet performed for Kennedy at the White House, along with a U.S. Navy choir and James Taylor.
Other notable guests include Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who is scheduled to read quotes from Kennedy's speeches.
The U.S. Naval Academy Men's Glee Club will perform in a nod to Kennedy's military service and there will be an Air Force flyover.
It is a reverential approach that will be mirrored in Boston, where the JFK Library and Museum will open a small exhibit of never-before-displayed items from Kennedy's state funeral and host a musical tribute that isn't open to the public.
In Washington, President Obama will meet privately at the White House with leaders and volunteers from the Kennedy-established Peace Corps program.
Legacy: John F. Kennedy was the most popular
president in the 20th Century, and he was assassinated during a campaign
stop in Texas on November 22, 1963
High profile guests: Prince Albert of Monaco (right) and his wife Princess Charlene (left) were in attendance
New leading lady: Charlene, like Jackie Kennedy before her, has become something of an international fashion icon
Spectacle: Events in commemoration of the anniversary have been held in Dallas throughout the past year
A number of members of the Kennedy family- including Caroline's son Jack Schlossberg- were in attendance, and he went on to speak at a formal dinner that night that was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Medal of Freedom- an initiative launched by President Kennedy.
The committee convened by current Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to plan the city's event wanted to focus 'in a positive way more on the legacy of President Kennedy,' said Ron Kirk, a former mayor and member of the panel.
Numerous events were held around Dallas this year to mark the milestone anniversary, including panels with those who were there that day, special concerts and museum exhibits.
The spot: A museum now occupies the space that
used to be the Texas Book Depository, and this is the window on the
sixth floor that was Oswald's hiding spot
Clear shot: Lee Harvey Oswald was positioned in
the Sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository, (the building on the left)
when he fired at the motorcade
Moving on: In preparation for today's
celebration, road crews on Thursday repaved the area of Elm Street where
the President was shot
Through the rain: Thousands are expected to line
the route of the motorcade that President Kennedy's car was going along
as he was shot
Moments from death: President John F. Kennedy,
his wife Jackie sit side by side, as they ride through Dallas moments
before Kennedy was assassinated, November 22, 1963
As press aide for Governor John Connally, Julian Read was in a media bus several vehicles behind the presidential limousine.
After the gunshots, he watched as the vehicle, carrying the mortally wounded Kennedy and injured governor, sped away. Read released a book this year recounting his experience and has attended several of the events, which he called cathartic.
'Even though there are all those melancholy thoughts, the way it's shaping up ... gives me more of a comfort than any time since 1963,' said Read, who will be at the official ceremony Friday.
The Coalition on Political Assassinations, a group that believes Kennedy's death was part of a conspiracy, usually gathers on the plaza's 'grassy knoll' for a moment of silence each November 22.
Since it'll be blocked off this year, executive director John Judge - who first came to Dealey Plaza for the fifth anniversary of JFK's death in 1968 - says he's reached a 'livable' agreement with the city.
The final trip: Jackie and Jack were all smiles when they arrived in Dallas, not knowing what lay ahead
Warm reception: Texas was a difficult state for Democrats to win but the crowds were encouraging for Kennedy
Unexpected: The convertible that the Kennedys
were riding in had been equipped with a glass cover but the President
felt he was better able to connect with voters without the barrier
Action: Secret Service agent Clint Hill rushed
to the back of the limousine and pushed Mrs Kennedy back in the car
after she tried to grab a piece of her husband's skull that had flown
off
On display: The limousine that Kennedy was
riding in was used by a number of presidents after him but it was
eventually retired from the fleet and now is part of an exhibit at The
Henry Ford Museum in Michigan
Healing old wounds: A number of tributes have
been erected in Dallas over the years, including this landmark marker in
Dealey Plaza where the motorcade traveled on that fateful day
The group - which plans to wear specially made T-shirts with an image of Kennedy's head with a bullet hole and blood and the slogan '50 years in denial is enough' - will gather a few blocks away and move to the plaza after the official ceremony ends.
President John F. Kennedy's last surviving sibling, 85-year-old Jean Kennedy Smith, has laid a wreath at her brother's grave at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.
Smith was accompanied Friday morning by about 10 members of the Kennedy family as they marked the 50th anniversary of his assassination in Dallas.
They joined hands for a short prayer in silence and left roses at the grave.
Evidence: Lady Bird Johnson asked if Jackie
wanted to change before Lyndon was sworn in as president on Air Force
One (pictured) but Jackie responded 'I want them to see what they did to
Jack'
Investigation: Conspiracy theories about the
assassination, many which persist today. The official version of events
concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and used this bolt-action
rifle with a telescopic sight
Heartbreaking: The President's funeral was held
on the same day that his son John F. Kennedy Jr turned three, and the
little boy is seen here saluting to his father's casket during the
funeral
Bagpipes played, a British cavalry officer stood guard and a flame burned steady as it has for the last 50 years at the grave.
A few hundred tourists watched the ceremony, which lasted only a few minutes.
Also today, one of President Kennedy's two granddaughters has paid her respects at the British memorial site in his honor.
A stone tablet and ornate garden were dedicated to President Kennedy in Runnymede in Berkshire, and a service was held there today on the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
Last remaining Kennedy: The President's sole
surviving sibling, Jean Kennedy Smith (center), laid a wreath at her
brother's tomb in Arlington on Friday
Blood lines: Kennedy Smith previously served as the American ambassador to Ireland
Respect: Navy SEALs and mourners came to visit President Kennedy's grave
National movement: Visitors are seen paying
their respects on Friday at the eternal flame at President Kennedy's
grave in Arlington National Cemetery
Caroline Kennedy's 23-year-old daughter Tatiana Schlossberg was the family representative there today and she was accompanied by the American ambassador to England.
'We have come here today to honor his memory- as this monument does so well- but today is a difficult day because it is a reminder of a moment of profound sadness for my family, for America and for the world,' she said at the ceremony.
'For me, my grandfather lives in my imagination, in his words, and in the lessons he has left with us. Throughout my life, I have been able to connect with him through the study of history, both by studying his life and by studying the eras and patterns that fascinated him.'
In his honor: Tatiana Schlossberg spoke about
her connection to her grandfather, former President John F. Kennedy, at a
ceremony in Surrey on Friday
Reflection: The stone tablet was dedicated to the assassinated president in 1965, two years after his death
He and his great aunt Ethel Kennedy, who is the widow of JFK's brother Bobby, attended the Medal of Freedom ceremony in the White House on Wednesday.
They then accompanied Presidents Obama and Clinton to Arlington Ceremony where they paid their respects at the eternal flame that Jackie had made in her husband's honor.
Caroline, who is now the sole surviving member of President Kennedy's immediate family, has not participated in any of the events leading up to the anniversary of her father's death as she is just beginning her tenure as the new American ambassador to Japan.
In Boston, the private musical tribute will feature Paul Winter, whose jazz sextet performed for Kennedy at the White House, along with a U.S. Navy choir and James Taylor.
Other notable guests include Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who is scheduled to read quotes from Kennedy's speeches.
Kennedy clan: Bobby Kennedy's widow Ethel
(center) was on hand for the Washington memorial ceremony on Wednesday
at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as JFK's grandson- Caroline's
son- Jack Schlossberg (right)
Holding hands: At the Medal of Freedom ceremony
Wednesday morning, President Obama called Ethel Kennedy 'one of my
favorite people' and she was accompanied by both Mr Obama and Mr Clinton
as they headed to the grave
Heir apparent: Caroline's youngest child, Jack Schlossberg, is the only living male relative that is a direct descendant of JFK
Family duties: Jack spoke before President Obama
at a dinner held in his grandfather's honor for the Medal of Freedom
winners on Wednesday night in Washington
A world away: Caroline Kennedy has not been
present at any of the memorial services for her father and she has just
started her new job as the American ambassador to Japan
A different family: On Thursday, Caroline met with American military personnel stationed in Tokyo
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