President John F. Kennedy leads his son John out of Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1963.
(This is the first in a series of illustrated articles recounting the last days of the Kennedy family in the White House during November of 1963. Some will be made available for nominal purchase.)
The President and Mrs. Kennedy with their children Caroline and John had spent the weekend of November 9 and 10 at their newly-built home in the Virginia countryside, which the First Lady named “Wexford,” in honor of her husband’s ancestral county in Ireland. On Monday, November 11, 1963, JFK impulsively decided to take his son along to Arlington National Cemetery for his speech and wreath-laying ceremony there on Veteran’s Day.
JFK and a military aide swing “John-John” over some steps. Reporter Helen Thomas is seen at far right.
The month before, while Jackie Kennedy had gone to Greece, Morocco and Turkey with her sister, following the death of her prematurely-born son Patrick, it was the President who had played single parent at the White House, assuming the sole responsibility for his two children. It had proven to be one of his happiest times, the two children now matured to the point where they could be enjoyed as individual personalities. Later in November his daughter would turn six years old and his son three years old. He’d taken them swimming in the enclosed White House pool every night before reading to them and putting them to bed.
The fidgety First Son waits with Secret Service agents and reporters as President Kennedy delivers his Veterans Day address.
During the solemn Veteran’s Day ceremonies, however, JFK became concerned that his son was too excitable and fidgety and asked that he be brought to him as the event broke up. John F. Kennedy, Jr., popularly known in the press as “John-John” sat and waited out of public view as his father spoke, waiting with Secret Service agents and press photographers. He waited patiently, tucking his hands behind his back in one of the mannerisms his mother had taught him to perform as polite behavior. Still, the President’s son was eager to be rejoined with his father.
Brought to the presidential limousine to wait, John Kennedy, Jr. waits for his father to return.
As the ceremonies concluded, the President and a phalanx of military officers headed towards the presidential limousine and JFK, Jr. spotted his father. He marched boldly up to him, hands still behind his back, oblivious to the crowds behind a rope line.
As both father and son neared one another they both broke into laughter and John clasped his father’s legs in affection. He showed off a new skill, walking backwards but trying to mimic his father’s attempt to remain somber.
The President’s son marches up to greet his father JFK.
The President laughs at his son who approaches him formally, hands behind his back.
Many onlookers couldn’t help laughing at John-John and several broke out into a light applause. Not everyone was quite so amused. Time Magazine editorialized that “a good firm nanny might well be employed to keep a two and a half year old out of solemn ceremonies.”
A veteran of World War II, President Kennedy couldn’t help proudly acknowledging the applauding public and, with a military aide grasping the First Son’s other hand, swung the boy over a few steps as he let out some gleeful yelps.
JFK smiles at applauding crowds while his son looks ahead.
John F. Kennedy, Jr. skips along happily his hand in that of his father the President.
Suddenly conscious of others besides his father the President, John F. Kennedy, Jr. stares back curiously at a photographer.
Once they were in the presidential limousine on their way home to the White House, the President couldn’t help teasing his son, giving him a small push. And the President’s son pushed his father back.
“I’m going to tell Miss Shaw on you!” Jack Kennedy warned John Kennedy, referencing the nanny to his children.
“I’m going to tell Mrs. Lincoln on you!” the toddler shot back, referencing the President’s secretary.
Related articles
- Historic items from JFK assassination on display (bigstory.ap.org)
- Eternal Flame Restored at JFK’s Arlington Gravesite (washington.cbslocal.com)
- Alabama Hero Buried At Arlington National Cemetery (whnt.com)
- Irish soldiers who laid JFK to rest at Arlington remember the historic and sad occasion (VIDEO) (irishcentral.com)
- Ari & Jackie Onassis: X-Rated Movie, Nude Photos, the Kennedys & Paradise Lost (Part 5) (carlanthonyonline.com)
- The broken note of a mourning nation (stuff.co.nz)
- In life and especially in death, JFK changed TV (mysanantonio.com)
- Eternal flame restored at JFK gravesite near D.C. (cbsnews.com)
- Jfk’s Death, Told and Retold in Hollywood (hispanicbusiness.com)
Categories: First Families, First Sons, Presidents, The Kennedys
JFK’s Children: John’s Birthday on his Father’s Burial Day & How Caroline Was Told JFK was Gone
Hi Carl –
Just curious – why did President and Mrs. Kennedy go to Wexford instead of using Camp David?
Thanks –
David/Chicago
Initially, Jacqueline Kennedy did not find she much liked Camp David. Her primary form of physical exercise was in making lengthy rides on her horse, not only the formal foxhunting she did. She found the area of Middleburg, Virginia better landscape to accommodate that and also had a great number of friends in the area, which is where both the home Glen Ora, which they initially rented, and then the one she herself designed and called Wexford, in the town of Atoka were located. I have a forthcoming article on Atoka scheduled next.
What a wonderful piece to read on this Veterans Day. Thank you Carl.
So glad you enjoyed it – thanks and sorry for the delayed response Jefferson.
Great posting… I’m glad that father and son took time to enjoy the day. What a great photo of
John-John walking backwards, something I’ve always liked doing, too, at any age…
Mary, perhaps that’s the name of your as-yet-unwritten childhood memoir…”Walking Backwards.” Anyway appreciate as always your thoughtful comment.
Loved this post, and information I had never heard — not to mention the great photos.
Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it. Of course it proves ironic when fifteen days later he is being buried there.