Obama, Clinton Families Pay Tribute to John F. Kennedy Legacy

[Beacool]

Source: NBC

Friday marks 50 years to the day since Kennedy was slain while riding in an open car in a motorcade during a visit to Dallas

By Darlene Superville
November 20, 2013



President Barack Obama paid tribute Wednesday to former President John F. Kennedy's legacy, joining former President Bill Clinton to lay a wreath at Kennedy's grave and presenting a freedom medal that Kennedy conceived before his assassination 50 years ago this week.

One on each side, Obama and Clinton held the hands of Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, as they made their way up the stairs at Arlington National Cemetery. First lady Michelle Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton joined the two presidents to place a wreath near the eternal flame that marks Kennedy's gravesite.

Obama and Clinton placed their hands over their hearts as a bugler played "Taps" near an American flag at half-mast. Obama made no public comments, but greeted Kennedy relatives gathered to honor his legacy ahead of the 50th anniversary of his assassination on Friday.

The daylong tribute began earlier at the White House, where Obama bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on prominent Americans including Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. Kennedy established the modern version of the medal, but was assassinated two weeks before he planned to honor the first group of recipients.



Read more: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Obama-to-Pay-Tribute-to-John-F-Kennedy-Legacy-232636671.html

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[jtuck004]

1. 1961: "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country".

2013: "Ask not what the wealthy can do for you, but what you can do for the wealthy".

Seems fitting that this group is standing on the grave of those long dead ideas...

RIP, Mr. Kennedy. I miss the time you brought us.

[Beacool]

2. Times have changed.

And not just in this country.

[jtuck004]

3. True. And as this country sets it self out as the leader, they learn from the country we build. n/t

[nytemare]

5. ...

[question everything]

6. These, really are....

speechless. And heart breaking.

Thank you for posting.

[Beacool]

9. Thanks, great pics.

I wonder if people sometimes realize how a small gesture can change someone's life. Clinton has always said that shaking Kennedy's hand is something that he never forgot and influenced his decision to enter politics. He was 16 years old in that photo.

[question everything]

7. Why today and not wait to Friday?

It is nice that in all the news reports, Hillary is referred to as "former Secretary of State," not simply Mrs. Clinton.

[kath]

8. I was wondering the same thing-why not on Friday?

[Drunken Irishman]

11. Probably because Clinton was in Washington today for his Medal of Freedom...

[Beacool]

10. I don't know.

Although it might be because the Kennedys, Clintons and other dignitaries were in DC for the Medal of Freedom ceremony. It may have been too tough to assemble all those people two days later.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

12. Because nobody watches the news on Fridays.

If you want publicity, don't do it on Friday.
If you want to bury bad news, announce it on Friday.

I learned that watching The West Wing, but not on a Friday.

Plus, Friday's news schedule might be packed with Obituary re-runs.

[Redford]

13. Rumor has it all the living presidents are going to the ceremony in Dealey Plaza on Friday

It is a very controlled environment since the tickets to the event were "supposedly" dolled out by lottery.

[Beacool]

14. I didn't know, thanks for the information.

Is the building that housed the book depository still there?

[Redford]

15. Yes, and the sixth floor is now a museum.

My info came from an employee who told me they were hoping all presidents could be there.

[Beacool]

16. If they do go, I doubt that Bush Sr. will be there.

He's pretty frail.

Thanks about the info. on the bldg.