Fifty years ago today I was a young Marine Corps L/Cpl, three weeks and a day away from being 23, stationed at MCAS Quantico Va. a member of HMX-1, the presidential helicopter squadron. Being stationed there since early 1960 I had been assigned the duty of keeping the log book of every flight and activity that the president was aboard. Waiting at Love field in Dallas with the pilots and crew and ready to be in the air in less than 5 to support if needed. Needless to say I and crew were in complete shock when the word came down of the murder of the boss. I was assigned to accompany the flight back to DC and log all activity. Some days later I was assigned the duty of standing guard with members of each branch of the service at the casket as it lay in state in the U S Capitol Bldg as the Kings, Queens, and heads of state of almost every country in the world passed by to revue the body of a great man. I have pictures of all this taken by and given to me, on the sly, by the White House photographer which were highly classified and forbidden to show for many many years. I now keep them in a special portfolio and show them rarely as they are precious to me. Today on this 50th anniversary of the tragic event that changed everything and touched not only all Americans, but the world in general, I will have this portfolio with me as I move about and believe I will go to the library for awhile and will gladly share these priceless photos with any and all that care to see. My nephew, Tod Allen Sharp, a former Marine and Gulf war veteran, is the only person I have ever given a copy to and is truly deserved. SEMPER FI to one and all. His killing had no reason, no reason or rhyme, he was a friend of mine.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 10:16:17 +0000
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