Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/215520
6A Daily News – Friday, November 22, 2013 Solemn events to mark JFK's assassination DALLAS (AP) — Loose gatherings of the curious and conspiracyminded at Dallas' Dealey Plaza have marked past anniversaries of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, featuring everything from makeshift memorials to marching drummers to discussions about who else might have been in on the killing. But in the place where the president's motorcade passed through and shots rang out on Nov. 22, 1963, a solemn ceremony on the 50th anniversary of his death designed to avoid such distractions will include brief remarks by the mayor and the tolling of church bells. It's an approach that will be mirrored Friday in Boston, where the JFK Library and Museum will open a small exhibit of never-before-displayed items from Kennedy's state funeral and host a musical tribute that will be closed to the public, and in Washington, where President Barack Obama will meet privately at the White House with leaders and volunteers from the Kennedy-established Peace Corps program. ''It's 50 years later and it's also a moment to look forward to the future,'' said Thomas Putnam, executive director of the library, which usually doesn't observe the anniversary. ''We want our tone to be respectful and we want it to have a certain reverence, but we also want it to be hopeful and end on this notion of what JFK stood for.'' The committee convened by current Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to plan the city's event wanted to focus ''in a positive way more on the legacy of President Kennedy,'' said Ron Kirk, a former mayor and member of the panel. About 5,000 tickets were issued for the free ceremony in Dealey Plaza, which is flanked by the Texas School Book Depository building where sniper Lee Harvey Oswald perched on the sixth floor in 1963. Friday's event will include readings from the president's speeches by author David McCullough. In a nod to Kennedy's military service, the U.S. Naval Academy Men's Glee Club will perform and there will be an Air Force flyover. A moment of silence will be held at 12:30 p.m., when the president was shot. There was no shortage of events in Dallas this year marking the anniversary, including panels with journalists and others who witnessed the events of the day, special concerts and museum exhibits. As press aide for Texas Gov. John Connally, Julian Read was in a media bus several vehicles behind the presidential limousine. After the gunshots, he watched as the vehicle carrying the president and wounded governor sped away. Read released a book this year recounting his experience and has attended several of the events, which he called cathartic. ''Even though there are all those melancholy thoughts, the way it's shaping up ... gives me more of a comfort than any time since 1963,'' said Read, who will return to Dealey Plaza on Friday. John Judge, executive director of the Coalition on Political Assassinations, first came to Dealey Plaza to mark the fifth anniversary of JFK's death in 1968. Judge's group, which believes Kennedy's death was part of a conspiracy, usually gathers on the plaza's ''grassy knoll'' for a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. Since it'll be blocked off this year, Judge says he's reached a ''livable'' agreement with the city in which they'll gather a few blocks away and move to the plaza after the official ceremony ends. The group has made Tshirts for the occasion with the slogan, ''50 years in denial is enough'' and an image like that of Kennedy on the half-dollar coin, except with a bullet hole in his head and blood. ''It was meant to be shocking because we think that not solving his murder was shocking,'' Judge said. He added about 10 members of his group will attend the official ceremony. Other events being held Friday in Dallas include a ceremony at Parkland Memorial Hospital, where Kennedy was declared dead, to lower the U.S. flag to half-staff. In Fort Worth, the city's Chamber of Commerce will host a breakfast at the hotel where Kennedy gave his last speech and spent the last night of his life. In Boston, the private musical tribute will feature Paul Winter, who performed at the White House with his jazz sextet during Kennedy's presidency, along with a U.S. Navy choir and James Taylor. Other notable guests at the event, which will be streamed on the library's website, include Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who is scheduled to read quotes from Kennedy's speeches. Watch believed used to time JFK's death for sale NEW YORK (AP) — A wristwatch that is believed to have been used to declare the time of President John F. Kennedy's death is going on the auction block in New York City. The 18-carat Patek Philippe timepiece is esti- mated to bring up to $150,000 at Christie's on Dec. 17. The stopwatch was made in 1948 and purchased for Dr. Kemp Clark by his mother in Switzerland a year later for $750. Clark was one of several attending physicians at BENNY BROWN'S Red Bluff Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is pleased to announce that Bren Brown has joined our sales staff. Bren has many years experience in New and Used Car Sales, and he invites you to come on in and see him for a great deal on a New Or Used Car. Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, when the president entered the emergency room. He pronounced Kennedy dead at 1 p.m. by referring to the watch, according to his family, and signed the death certificate. ''There is endless debate among historians on the actual time of death and there was most likely also a clock in the ER,'' said John Reardon, Christie's international co-head of watches. KWIK KUTS Family Hair Salon 20 % off 545 Adobe Rd., Red Bluff 530-366-3166 Cell 530-736-1482 ANY RETAIL PRODUCT with any chemical service of $50 or more 2 Regular $ Haircut 00 off Reg. $13.95 Not good with other offers Expires 11/30/13 With coupon 1064 South Main St., Red Bluff • 529-3540 ''However, the family and historians agree to these facts: the watch was on his wrist that day and he called the time of death and signed the death certificate.'' Friday marks the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination. The Reference 1463 Patek was the Genevabased company's first water-resistant chronograph wristwatch. It is being sold by Clark's direct descendants) and comes with its original red clamshell box, sales receipt and Patek Philippe certificate. The back is engraved with the doctor's name. Amazing Finds NEW & USED FURNITURE & MUCH, MUCH MORE! Hurry in for the Fall Haul Sale & Online Auction Two Locations - 30,000 square feet RED BLUFF 530-917-1138 REDDING 530-917-7797 22660 Antelope Blvd. amazingfindsredbluff.com 9am – 7pm Sun.-Fri. 3351 S. Market St. amazingfindshome.com 9am – 7pm Sun.-Fri. Red Bluff Garden Club's Scholarship Christmas Boutique 616 Cedar St,. 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