Washington, DC
SPRINGFIELD ? Congressional and local leaders will gather with area residents at Forest Park’s eternal flame this weekend to commemorate the death of President John F. Kennedy.
The annual JFK remembrance event will take place Sunday at 1 p.m. at the eternal flame, which is the only other created and dedicated to the late president aside from the one that burns at his grave site in Arlington Cemetery.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe Jr. and city Mayor Domenic Sarno are expected to attend the remembrance, which is open to the public. Western Massachusetts residents who personally knew Kennedy, as well as other dignitaries, community and business leaders are also expected to participate in the event.
The memorial, hosted by the Springfield Board of Park Commissioners and the JFK Remembrance Committee, will feature brief remarks and remembrances, as well as a presentation of colors and laying of a wreath followed by the sounding of taps. The park’s admission fee will be waived from noon to 2 p.m. for the event.
The late president died Nov. 22, 1963 after being shot while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas.
On the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s death in 2013, the Canadian government visited the Springfield eternal flame to pay special tribute to him. Officials presented the U.S. government with artwork that had been intended for the late president had he visited Quebec following his Texas trip, as planned.
To view the original article, please click here.
