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Defence Forces central to Kennedy Flame ceremony in Arlington - Kehoe

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  • Defence Forces central to Kennedy Flame ceremony in Arlington - Kehoe

    The Minister of State at the Department of Defence and Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe T.D., and a colour party of the Irish Defence Forces played a central role in a ceremony at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. along with members of the US military.
    The Irish Government, represented by Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D. and members of the Kennedy family, including Congressman Joe Kennedy III, participated a ceremony where a flame was taken from the Eternal Flame on the grave of President John F. Kennedy in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. This is the first time since the death of President Kennedy in 1963 that the Kennedy family have allowed a flame be taken from the grave. The presence of Congressman Joe Kennedy III at the ceremony in Arlington gave a visible indication of the support of the Kennedy family for the events planned as part of the JFK50 celebrations.

    The flame was taken from the grave by a member of the colour party of the Irish Defence Forces. The Irish Army will bring the flame back to Ireland where it will pass from the Irish Army to the Irish Naval Service in a ceremony at Dublin Airport on Thursday morning. The Naval Service will take the flame from Dublin to New Ross onboard the LE Orla where it will be used by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D., Caroline Kennedy and Jean Kennedy-Smith to light the Emigrant Flame in a special ceremony on the 22 June.



    Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D. stated

    This ceremony in Arlington marks the start of the JFK 50 celebrations. It is the first time the US military and the Kennedy family have allowed a flame be taken from the Eternal Flame on President Kennedy's grave. We will take this flame on a journey home to Ireland where it will be used to light an Emigrant Flame in New Ross to honour all the emigrants, including Patrick Kennedy, who left our nation to start new lives in the US, the UK, Australian, Canada and countries across the globe. This flame is a powerful symbol. The Irish Defence Forces will play a central role not just in the ceremony at Arlington but in further ceremonies at Dublin Airport on June 20th and at the Kennedy Homestead, the JFK Arboretum and in New Ross on the 22nd June.

    President Kennedy’s deep affection for Ireland began a wonderful relationship between the Kennedy family and Ireland. Congressman Joseph Kennedy III is the most recent, of many members of the Kennedy clan, who have contributed so much to Ireland, over so many decades. We are truly honoured to have him with us on this special occasion. His involvement together with the fact that over 30 members of the Kennedy family are travelling from the US to Ireland to be part of the JFK 50 events, proves beyond doubt that the close ties that this most famous of Irish emigrant families has with the land of their ancestors is as true today as it was in 1963.


    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

  • #2
    Minister of State and Government Chief Whip, Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D.
    returns to Dublin with Kennedy Flame

    The Minister of State at the Department of Defence and Government Chief Whip, Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D., and a colour party of the Irish Defence Forces arrived in Dublin Airport this morning on their return from Arlington National Cemetery in Washington where a flame was taken from the Eternal Flame on the grave of President John F. Kennedy.
    The Minister was greeted on his arrival by the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Mr. Dinny McGinley, T.D. and the Chargé d’Affaires from the U.S. Embassy, Mr. John Hennessey-Niland and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt. General Sean McCann. A ceremony took place where the colour party from the Irish Defence Forces passed over the flame to the Irish Naval Service. The Naval Service will take the flame from Dublin to New Ross onboard the LE Orla where it will be used by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D., Ms. Caroline Kennedy and Ms. Jean Kennedy-Smith to light the Emigrant Flame in a special ceremony on Saturday next, the 22 June.

    Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D. stated

    This flame will now continue on its journey in the safe hands of the Naval Service where it will be used to light an Emigrant Flame in New Ross on Saturday. I am delighted that the Defence Forces will participate further in the events arranged for the Kennedy Homestead, the JFK Arboretum and on the Quayside in New Ross on the 22nd June.

    I particularly would like to thank the U.S. Embassy in Dublin for all their assistance in organising the events planned this week to commemorate the visit of President John F Kennedy to Ireland fifty years ago.

    I would also like to thank the staff and children from Scoil Mhuire National School, Campile, New Ross who traveled up this morning from Wexford to witness this unique occasion. It is particularly poignant that some of their relatives were present fifty years ago in Dunganstown when President Kenndey visited the Homestead.



    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

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