Community Corner

50 Years Later, Irish Cadets Return to Kennedy's Gravesite at Arlington Cemetery

President John F. Kennedy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 25, 1963.

On Nov. 25, 1963, retired Lt. Col. John Dunne was one of 26 Irish Army cadets that formed the honor guard at President John F. Kennedy's funeral.

Dunne was 20 at the time, one of the older cadets in his class. The Friday beforehand, when Kennedy was assassinated, Dunne was taking part in the usual military training. Most cadets had time off starting noon Saturday, but Dunne — the duty cadet that day — was told to reassemble everyone. They were going to the United States on Sunday.

None of the cadets had passports at the time, but they were able to catch a commercial flight, with their rifles, and enter the country. The Kennedy family had requested the honor guard for the president's funeral.

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Monday, Dunne laid a wreath at the eternal flame at Arlington National Cemetery. He was joined by 10 other members of that original honor guard in the Irish Defence Forces 37th Cadet Class, along with a small contingent of current cadets to post and retire the colors for the commemoration.

"In one sense, it's very emotional, because I suppose we're older. When we were cadets, we were so excited, so much concentrating on our drill, and getting it right, and representing our country and making our country proud for the Kennedy family," Dunne said afterward. "Coming back later, we've learned about the great work that President Kennedy had started to do during his presidency. It means a huge amount to us."

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A small group of dignitaries attended Monday's quiet remembrance, including Anne Anderson, the recently appointed Irish ambassador to the United States.

Kennedy helped "people of all nations dream and believe that the world could be a better place," said retired Col. Bill Nott, who was also a member of the 37th cadet class.

Nott read a selection of William Butler Yeats' poem "The Cloths of Heaven," which he said was a favorite of the Kennedy family. Sgt. Joe Meade played "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes, another family favorite.

Kennedy visited Ireland in June 1963. He called it the best four days of his life and, among other things, was able to watch an Irish Army cadet honor guard perform a ceremonial drill.

About five months later he was assassinated in Dallas. The Irish Defence Forces 37th Cadet Class became the first foreign military to act as the honor guard at a U.S. president's funeral.

"For the honor guard to play such a small part in President Kennedy's funeral, it has massive significance," said 22-year-old Cadet Fionn McCaffrey, one of the members of Monday's color guard. "Every cadet knows the story."

"It was an honor to be here," Cadet Stephen Bunney told Patch. "It feels like we're reliving history."

The cadets and the men who wore their shoes 50 years earlier all talked with pride about Kennedy's 1963 visit to Ireland — whom he visited, what he did, how much he enjoyed himself. It shows the mythology around the late president isn't limited to the United States.

"Maybe even moreso in Ireland," Dunne told Patch. "It's hard to describe. We think of Kennedy as one of our own." 

This article was originally published Monday, Nov. 25.


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