DOCSLIB.ORG

Their Finest Hour T H O M a S F . R E

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Their Finest Hour T H O M a S F . R E T H E I R F I N E S T H O U R T H E I R F I N E S T H O U R THE OLD GUARD AT THE STATE FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY THEIR FINEST HOUR Most every American alive at the time remembers where he or she was when word of John F. Kennedy’s assassination came. Members of the Third Infantry Regiment, the U.S. Army’s official ceremonial unit, were no exception. As their fellow citizens reeled in horror and sorrow, however, the dedicated soldiers of the Third Infantry, the “Old Guard,” realized their professionalism and sense of duty would be called upon in this, their finest hour. Their normal duties ranged from burying soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery to welcoming visiting heads of state at the White House. The Kennedy state funeral imposed special demands. Whatever the task, it was performed with the precision and dignity these solemn events deserved.The shock they felt when they learned of the assassination had to give way to duty. Their Finest Hour was written by more than twenty members of The Old Guard—privates, sergeants, lieutenants, and captains among them—who were there for Kennedy’s funeral. They share their memories of going to Andrews Air Force Base to receive the body of the president, THE OLD GUARD AT THE STATE FUNERAL standing watch over the casket at the White House, transferring the casket to the Capitol to lie in OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY state in the Rotunda, and then proceeding to St. Matthew’s Cathedral for the funeral Mass and to Arlington National Cemetery over four intense and sorrowful days. The Old Guard’s tasks ranged from carrying the casket, managing spirited horses, and even holding the hand of an active John F. Kennedy, Jr., “John-John,” who had just turned three. Every step of the way required hours and hours of intense training and practice and making plans and changing plans at the drop of a hat. These soldiers’ sense of duty was on display to a grateful nation, an audience of millions watching on television, which drew solace from their professionalism and humanity. Their Finest Hour presents the personal accounts by 22 members of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) who played key roles in the State Funeral for President John F. Kennedy…. The book provides the reader with a fascinating, behind-the-scenes view of how this great team of individuals overcame an incredible amount of obstacles in the four days between the assassination and the interment at Arlington National Cemetery and executed a world-class State Funeral that remains the standard 50 years later. THOMAS REID F. THE OLD GUARD AT THE STATE FUNERAL Colonel David P. Anders OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY 78th Commander 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) $19.95 WORD ASSOCIATION PUBLISHERS www.wordassociation.com 1.800.827.7903 THOMAS F. REID Their Fines T h o u r The Old Guard a T T h e S T a T e F u n e r a l of P r e S i d e n T J O hn F. Kennedy Their Fines T h o u r The Old Guard a T T h e S T a T e F u n e r a l of P r e S i d e n T J O hn F. Kennedy T h O m a S F . r e i d Copyright © 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 by Thomas F. Reid All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author. Printed in the United States of America. ISBN: 978-1-59571-764-1 Library of Congress Control Number: 2011945539 Designed and published by Word Association Publishers 205 Fifth Avenue Tarentum, Pennsylvania 15084 www.wordassociation.com 1.800.827.7903 Almost every living American who was born before 1960 remembers where he or she was on November 22, 1963, when Walter Cronkite spoke the unspeakable by announcing on television to a shocked nation the stunning news that President John F. Kennedy had been killed by an assassin’s bullets. The Old Guard in 1963 Ta b l e o F C o n T e n T s The ranks listed below were those held on November 22, 1963 Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................... 10 Dedication ............................................................................................................................. 11 Prologue ................................................................................................................................ 12 The Old Guard ..................................................................................................................... 16 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 18 PART ONE - Planning and Preparation ................................................................... 23 1. Business as Usual - by Pl. Sgt. E-7 Woodrow T. Blair ...................................... 24 2. Black Jack - by Pfc. E-3 Arthur A. Carlson ........................................................ 25 3. Parades and Processions - by Spec. 4th Cl. Dennis Choplin ........................... 27 4. A Dismal Day at the White House - by Capt. Terence P. Cooney ................. 29 5. Lack of a Plan - by Lt. Col. Richard E. Cross .................................................... 31 6. A Very Sad Time - by Spec. 4th Cl. Donald C. Good ....................................... 32 7. Acting Company Commander - by 1st Lt. Edward M. Gripkey ...................... 33 8. We Would Start from Scratch - by 1st Lt. Wesley A. Groesbeck .................... 36 9. Carry the Colors with Pride - by Pl. Sgt. E-7 James R. (Pete) Holder ............ 38 10. Up Close and Personal - by Spec. 4th Cl. Michael Mattoch ............................ 39 11. Presidential Pallbearer - by Spec. 4th Cl. Douglas A. Mayfield ....................... 40 12. Presidential Handshake - by 2nd Lt. James W. McElroy ................................... 41 13. Requiem at the Cathedral - by Captain Michael J. Mc Namara ....................... 43 14. Practice Makes Perfect - by Pfc. E-3 William W. Morris .................................. 45 15. The Joint Chiefs of Staff - by Lt. Col. Louie W. Odom .................................. 47 16. Assemble the Troops - by Capt. Kenneth S. Pond ........................................... 49 17. An Office in the Basement - by Capt. Thomas F. Reid .................................... 51 18. Ready for Come What May - by Spec. 4th Cl. Douglas Robbins .................... 52 19. Short Timer - by Sgt. E-5 Gary Rogers ............................................................... 53 20. Our World Became Very Demanding - by 1st Lt. John F. Schneider ............. 54 21. Get Your Men and Horses Ready - by Sgt. E-5 Thomas Setterberg .............. 56 22. The President’s Blanket - by Pl. Sgt. E-7 Jesse Sharp ........................................ 58 PART TWO - Andrews Air Force Base ........................................................................ 59 23. Melee at Andrews AFB - by Lt. Col. Richard E. Cross .................................... 60 24. A Long, Hard Night - by Captain Kenneth S. Pond ......................................... 62 25. Beyond all our Expectations - by Spec. 4th Cl. Douglas A. Mayfield ............ 64 PART THREE - The White House ............................................................................. 69 26. Death Watch - by Spec. 4th Cl. Donald C. Good ............................................. 70 27. Serene Sadness - by Pl. Sgt. E-7 Jesse Sharp ....................................................... 71 28. Signal by Eye Blink - by 1st Lt. John F. Schneider ............................................ 73 29. The Special Forces - by Pl. Sgt. E-7 Pete Holder .............................................. 75 30. Condolences - by Lt. Col. Richard E. Cross ....................................................... 76 31. Big Boy - by Sgt. E-5 Thomas Setterberg ........................................................... 77 32. A Very Busy Day - by Captain Terence P. Cooney ........................................... 79 PART FOUR - The Capitol ............................................................................................ 89 33. John-John Kennedy - by Captain Ken Pond ...................................................... 90 34. Calm Before the Storm - by Pfc. E-3 Andy Carlson ......................................... 92 35. Not Part of the Plan - by Pl. Sgt. E-7 Pete Holder ........................................... 93 36. A Long Relief - by 1st Lt. John F. Schneider ..................................................... 94 37. 104 Changes of the Death Watch - by Pl. Sgt. E-7 Jesse Sharp ..................... 96 38. The Lines Never got Shorter - by Spec. 4th Cl. Michael Mattoch .................. 98 39. More Like a Wall - by Spec. 4th Cl. Douglas Mayfield ..................................... 99 40. He Put his Foot in His Mouth - by Lt. Col. Richard E. Cross ...................... 101 41. I Became Very Nervous - by Spec. 4th Cl. Doug Mayfield ........................... 102 42. Hurry Up and Wait - by Spec. 4th Cl. William Morris ................................... 103 43. Street Cordon - by Spec. 4th Cl. Doug Robbins ............................................. 105 PART FIVE - Saint Matthew’s Cathedral ................................................................ 111 44. The Horse Stepped on My Foot - by Pfc. Arthur A. Carlson ....................... 112 45. Many of the People Were Weeping - by Spec. 4th Cl. Dennis Choplin ...... 113 46. Leg Dandruff - by Lt. Col. Louie Odom .......................................................... 115 47. The Casket Stopped on the Cathedral Steps - by Capt. Mike
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Annual-Current-Affairs-Portion-Grade
    Grade V- VI 2019-2020 CURRENT AFFAIRS Term-2 1. Who will be the new Sri Lankan President? A: Gotabaya Rajapaksa 2. What is the ‘Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award’? A: It is the Kolkata International film festival award for the best movie. 3. What is the disastrous calamity that swept across Australia? A: Forest Fire. 4. What is the ‘Yellow Vest’ protest which celebrated its first anniversary in Paris? A: The rise in fuel taxes in France. 5. What was Mickey originally going to be named? A: Mortimer 6. Who is the newly sworn 47th Chief Justice of India? A: Sharad Arvind Bobde. 7. Where was the first ever winter grade Diesel launched by IOC that remains unfrozen in high- altitude sectors? a. A: Ladakh. 8. How did Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru get the name Pandit? A: He was from the community of Kashmiri Hindi Pandits. 9. What was International Children’s Day initially called? A: Rose Day, later to Flower Sunday. 10. Who was the person Nehru used to refer as his Blood Brother who was also from Kashmir? A: : Sheikh Abdullah. 11. Where in London did Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah get trained in Law? A: Inner Temple. 12. Nehru died of a heart attack on 27 May 1964.The gun carriage used for his state funeral was later used for the state funeral of another International personality in India. Identify the person. A: Mother Teresa. 13. Which is the first city in India that will setup Air Purifiers outdoors in the city? A: Hyderabad. 14. What is X-57 Maxwell? A: NASA’s first Electric Aircraft.
    [Show full text]
  • John F. Kennedy Funeral Timeline
    Funeral timeline The death of President John F. Kennedy deeply affected the nation and the world. Over the course of three days – November 23 to 25, 1963 – millions around the globe closely followed the state funeral in Washington, D.C., which was attended by 220 foreign dignitaries from 92 nations. Though hastily arranged, President Kennedy’s funeral, modeled in part on the 1865 funeral for President Abraham Lincoln, allowed the country to pay tribute to this fallen leader and reflect upon his legacy in a sober and dignified manner. This timeline details the funeral’s progression over those three November days, from lying in repose in the East Room of the White House to the burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Saturday, November 23, 1963 4:34 a.m. | Members of the Honor Guard escort President Kennedy’s casket into the East Room of the White House. 10:00 a.m. | A private Mass for family and friends is held in the East Room of the White House. Sunday, November 24, 1963 1:08 p.m. | The caisson bearing President Kennedy’s casket leaves the White House for the U.S. Capitol. 1:47 p.m. | President Kennedy’s casket enters the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. 2:17 p.m. | Mrs. Kennedy and her children kneel at President Kennedy’s casket following a memorial service. Monday, November 25, 1963 2:00 a.m. | The line of mourners outside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda stretches three miles long. 9:00 a.m. | Approximately 250,000 people have viewed the president’s casket.
    [Show full text]
  • Lyings in State
    Lyings in state Standard Note: SN/PC/1735 Last updated: 12 April 2002 Author: Chris Pond Parliament and Constitution Centre On Friday 5 April 2002, the coffin of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was carried in a ceremonial procession to Westminster Hall, where it lay in state from the Friday afternoon until 6 a.m. on Tuesday 9 April. This Standard Note gives a history of lying in state from antiquity, and looks at occasions where people have lain in state in the last 200 years. Contents A. History of lying in state 2 B. Lyings in state in Westminster Hall 2 1. Gladstone 3 2. King Edward VII 3 3. Queen Alexandra 5 4. Victims of the R101 Airship Disaster, 1930 5 5. King George V 6 6. King George VI 6 7. Queen Mary 6 8. Sir Winston Churchill 7 9. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother 7 C. The pattern 8 Annex 1: Lyings in state in Westminster Hall – Summary 9 Standard Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of Parliament and their personal staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of these papers with Members and their staff but cannot advise others. A. History of lying in state The concept of lying in state has been known from antiquity. In England in historical times, dead bodies of people of all classes “lay” – that is, were prepared and dressed (or “laid out”) and, placed in the open coffin, would lie in a downstairs room of the family house for two or three days whilst the burial was arranged.1 Friends and relations of the deceased could then visit to pay their respects.
    [Show full text]
  • Former Presidents: Pensions, Office Allowances, and Other Federal Benefits
    Former Presidents: Pensions, Office Allowances, and Other Federal Benefits Wendy Ginsberg Analyst in American National Government March 21, 2013 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL34631 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Former Presidents: Pensions, Office Allowances, and Other Federal Benefits Summary The Former Presidents Act (FPA; 3 U.S.C. §102 note) charges the General Services Administration (GSA) with providing former Presidents a pension, support staff, office support, travel funds, and mailing privileges. The FPA was enacted to “maintain the dignity” of the Office of the President. The act provides the former President—and his or her spouse—certain benefits to help him respond to post-presidency mail and speaking requests, among other informal public duties often required of a former President. Prior to enactment of the FPA in 1958, former Presidents leaving office received no pension or other federal assistance. Former Presidents currently receive a pension that is equal to pay for Cabinet Secretaries (Executive Level I), which is $199,700 in 2013. In addition to benefits provided pursuant to the FPA, former Presidents are also provided Secret Service protection and financial “transition” benefits to assist their transition to post-presidential life. Pursuant to the FPA, former Presidents are eligible for benefits unless they hold “an appointive or elective office or position in or under the Federal Government or the government of the District of Columbia to which is attached a rate of pay other than a nominal rate.” For FY2013, the President’s budget requested $3,779,000 for expenditures for former Presidents, $108,000 (2.9%) more than the $3,671,000 appropriated for FY2012 (P.L.
    [Show full text]
  • Asian Socialists and the Forgotten Architects of Post-Colonial Freedom
    Lewis, S. L. (2019). Asian Socialists and the Forgotten Architects of Post-Colonial Freedom. Journal of World History, 30(1-2), 55-88. https://doi.org/10.1353/jwh.2019.0028 Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to published version (if available): 10.1353/jwh.2019.0028 Link to publication record in Explore Bristol Research PDF-document This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via University of Hawaii Press at https://muse.jhu.edu/article/729105. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. University of Bristol - Explore Bristol Research General rights This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/red/research-policy/pure/user-guides/ebr-terms/ Asian Socialism and the Forgotten Architects of Post-Colonial Freedom, 1952–1956 Su Lin Lewis Journal of World History, Volume 30, Numbers 1-2, June 2019, pp. 55-88 (Article) Published by University of Hawai'i Press For additional information about this article https://muse.jhu.edu/article/729105 Access provided at 11 Jul 2019 10:40 GMT from Bristol University Asian Socialism and the Forgotten Architects of Post-Colonial Freedom, 1952–1956* SU LIN LEWIS University of Bristol N a photograph taken in 1953, Sutan Sjahrir arrives off an airplane in IRangoon and is greeted warmly on the tarmac by Burmese socialist leaders U Ba Swe and U Kyaw Nyein, as well as his close friend Ali Algadri, the Arab-Indonesian chargé d’affairs.
    [Show full text]
  • Bush Funeral Services Schedule
    Bush Funeral Services Schedule PalaeoceneMunroe infibulates and traversable his contrappostos Townie never eavesdrop strafed vernally, his roofing! but bewildered Parsifal never revisits so hysterically. Paripinnate Fonsie paused homogeneously. George Bush child And Memorial Plans Released NPR. Further details about upcoming funeral arrangements have not then been. Melania trump saluted the missing man formation, who will take place in houston public service will continue reading the funeral begins with grief every thursday: is raining at! National Museum of Funeral goods Funeral Museum Best. He previously covered by former secretary of knowing and politicians and bush funeral services schedule for a cremation services? Bush funeral service thursday in american president of your schedule released sunday starts off any of our online condolence book of him grey goose vodka and politicians. Your schedule for contacting us. How but when they watch President George HW Bush funeral. Version of the game sound which Mr Trump devotes many hours and said. When our licensed directors sit low with families to mint a jewel we clip the. Did tremendous good one jurisdiction and daughter robin, bush and ford bales, george hw and his plans: plane arrives in. The funerals of homes will be broadcasting the no funeralwise preferred provider has happened and friendship and will lie in college station, maryland government for. American president xi jinping on all of bucksport, and gentler nation, by those who was scheduled to give it has been in just before sitting down. Jogira sara ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra! Grey-Bushelon Funeral Services Birmingham AL funeral.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Study
    *. APPROVED FOR RELEASE DATE:.( mY 2007 I, Research Study liWOlVEXZ4-1965 neCoup That Batkfired December 1968- i i ! This publication is prepared for tbe w of US. Cavernmeat officials. The formaf coverage urd contents of tbe puti+tim are designed to meet the specific requirements of those u~n.US. Covernment offids may obtain additional copies of this document directly or through liaison hl from the Cend InteIIigencx Agency. Non-US. Government usem myobtain this dong with rimikr CIA publications on a subscription bask by addressing inquiries to: Document Expediting (DOCEX) bject Exchange and Gift Division Library of Con- Washington, D.C ZOSaO Non-US. Gowrrrmmt users not interested in the DOCEX Project subscription service may purchase xeproductio~~of rpecific publications on nn individual hasis from: Photoduplication Servia Libmy of Congress W~hington,D.C. 20540 f ? INDONESIA - 1965 The Coup That Backfired December 1968 BURY& LAOS TMAILANO CAYBODIA SOUTU VICINAY PHILIPPIIEL b. .- .r4.n MALAYSIA INDONESIA . .. .. 4. , 1. AUSTRALIA JAVA Foreword What is commonly referred to as the Indonesian coup is more properly called "The 30 September Movement," the name the conspirators themselves gave their movement. In this paper, the term "Indonesian coup" is used inter- changeably with "The 30 September Movement ," mainly for the sake of variety. It is technically correct to refer to the events in lndonesia as a "coup" in the literal sense of the word, meaning "a sudden, forceful stroke in politics." To the extent that the word has been accepted in common usage to mean "the sudden and forcible overthrow - of the government ," however, it may be misleading.
    [Show full text]
  • Sushant Singh Rajput Mar. 22
    OC WHY FACEBOOK IS THE RUSH FOR MS DHONI: THE FRIENDING THE BJP GREEN CLEARANCES QUIET LONG WALK www.indiatoday.in AUGUST 31, 2020 `75 REGISTERED NO. DL(ND)-11/6068/2018-20;REGISTERED NO. U(C)-88/2018-20; FARIDABAD/05/2020-22 LICENSED POSTWITHOUTTO PREPAYMENT SuShant Singh Rajput 1986—2020 RNI NO. 28587/75 28587/75 NO. RNI SUICIDE OR MURDER? QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEATH OF SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT THAT REFUSE TO DIE DOWN. AN INVESTIGATION FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF hen the makers of a biopic on Indian crick- no faith in the Mumbai police’s investigation. The Bihar et captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wanted police took cognisance of the complaint, filed an FIR and a Bollywood star to play the titular role, followed it up with an investigation. As part of the process, W they didn’t have to look beyond Sushant they turned up in Mumbai, triggering the political battle Singh Rajput. Not only were the actor and the cricketer between the two states and their police machinery. The born and raised in the same state, but their careers Enforcement Directorate has also joined the investigations were also mirror images of each other. Both were rank because of the accusations of money-laundering. outsiders who had broken into their fiercely competitive professions by dint of sheer talent. Inspirational stories n India, if there is any controversy worth taking ad- of self-made stars are the stuff of cinematic dreams. Yet, Ivantage of, politics can never be far behind. The Bihar not even the finest scriptwriter could have imagined the elections are barely two months away, and Sushant’s death drama around Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic death on has become cause celebre for politicians to exploit in the June 14.
    [Show full text]
  • FUNERAL DIRECTORS HANDBOOK for Vital Records Registration
    FUNERAL DIRECTORS HANDBOOK For Vital Records Registration Tennessee Department of Health Division of Policy, Planning and Assessment Office of Vital Records FUNERAL DIRECTORS HANDBOOK For Vital Records Registration STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH NASHVILLE January 2012 Table of Contents PREFACE ................................................................................................. iii Telephone Numbers for Key Staff Members .......................................... iv Part l - Vital Records Registration ........................................................... 1 Functional Roles .......................................................................................................... 2 Responsibilities ............................................................................................................ 4 Funeral Directors ...................................................................................................... 4 Physicians ................................................................................................................ 7 Medical Examiners ................................................................................................... 9 Hospitals and Nursing Homes ................................................................................ 11 Hospices ................................................................................................................ 13 Local Registrars ....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Tri-State Booklet 2
    DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER Name of Deceased ____________________________________________________ Date of Death ________________________________________________________ Tri-State Date of Final Disposition of Body ________________________________________ The Federal Trade Regulation Rule for “Funeral Industry Practices” requires certain disclosures and prohibits misrepresentations. This Disclosure/Disclaimer Form is a check list we ask those we Funeral Services, Inc. serve to read and sign if during the arrangements for the funeral of the aforementioned decedent our funeral home did or did not do the following. I/We who made the arrangements for the funeral and final disposition of the remains of the afore- mentioned decedent do hereby attest to the following: Worthy Of Your Trust I/We hereby acknowledge that I/we have the legal right to arrange the funeral services for the deceased and authorize the Tri-State Funeral Services, Inc., to perform the ser- vices, provide funeral goods and incur outside charges. I/We were given a General Price List effective January 1, 2013 prior to discussing prices, service and merchandise. I/We were shown a Casket Price List effective January 1, 2013 prior discussing prices of caskets. I/We were shown an Outer Burial Container Price List effective January 1, 2013 prior to discussing prices of outer burial containers. I/We were not told that embalming is required by law and were told that the law does not require embalming except in certain special cases. If embalming was provided, this was done with my/our permission. I/We were not told that any law requires embalming for direct cremations, immediate burial or a funeral using a sealed casket or if refrigeration is available and the funeral is without viewing or visitation with a closed casket.
    [Show full text]
  • Conceptions of Death in Renaissance Italy By: Lucas Coia
    “The Last Battayle is Atte Hande”: Conceptions of Death in Renaissance Italy By: Lucas Coia Death is a universal phenomenon. All living beings eventually cease to live, whether welcome or not. Since time immemorial humans have grappled with how to deal with and defy this reality. In Italy, beginning in the latter half of the fourteenth century, people turned to a “strategy for eternity” that has been called a “cult of remembrance.”1 While not by any means a rejection of traditional Christian attitudes to the afterlife, interest in the cult of remembrance reflected a desire to “outlive” one’s death on earth through post-mortem memorialization of the individual. Considering the contemporaneous rise of humanistic philosophy and the cult of man, this is perhaps unsurprising. That said, the cult of remembrance and its associated death practices represent a distinct attitude toward death that can be seen as highly individualistic. When analysed in detail, this development is reflective of contemporary social realities. Indeed, this was a time of increasing competition and struggles for power between local families and individuals.2 As will be shown, funeral rites and post-mortem memorial reflected this reality by serving to augment the honour of individuals and their families. At the same time, contemporary death practice remained a highly social and public phenomenon. To describe Italian Renaissance death rites solely in terms of increasing individualism would therefore be too simplistic a narrative, for in this particular time and place the public and the private were often inseparable. 1 Samuel Cohn, The Cult of Remembrance and the Black Death: Six Renaissance Cities in Central Italy (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997).
    [Show full text]
  • Presidential State Funerals: Past Practices and Security Considerations
    CRS INSIGHT Presidential State Funerals: Past Practices and Security Considerations Updated December 3, 2018 (IN11003) | Related Authors Jacob R. Straus Shawn Reese View More... | Jacob R. Straus, Specialist on the Congress ([email protected], 7-6438) Shawn Reese, Analyst in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy ([email protected], 7-0635) Maria Kreiser, Senior Research Librarian ([email protected], 7-0588) On November 30, 2018, former President George H.W. Bush died. In the tradition of past presidential deaths, President Bush will receive a state funeral (designated as a National Special Security Event), which includes several ceremonial events in Washington, DC, prior to his burial at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Center at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. The state funeral process is carried out by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, a division of the Military District of Washington (MDW). The official schedule for President Bush's state funeral is available from MDW's website. Presidential State Funerals According to the MDW, a state funeral is "a national tribute which is traditionally reserved for a head of state" and is conducted "on behalf of all persons who hold, or have held, the office of president…." In total, nine Presidents (not including President George H.W. Bush) have been honored with a state funeral. Prior to President Bush's death, the last state funeral occurred for President Gerald Ford. For more resources on presidential funerals, see CRS Report R45121, Presidential Funerals and Burials: Selected Resources, by Maria Kreiser and Brent W.
    [Show full text]