Their Finest Hour

Most every American alive at the time remembers where he or she was when word of John F. Kennedy s assassination came. Members of the Third Infantry Regiment, the U.S. Army s official ceremonial unit, were no exception. As their fellow citizens reeled in horror and sorrow, however, the dedicated soldiers of the Third Infantry, the Old Guard, realized their professionalism and sense of duty would be called upon in this, their finest hour. Their normal duties ranged from burying soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery to welcoming visiting heads of state at the White House. The Kennedy state funeral imposed special demands. Whatever the task, it was performed with the precision and dignity these solemn events deserved.The shock they felt when they learned of the assassination had to give way to duty. Their Finest Hour was written by more than twenty members of The Old Guard privates, sergeants, lieutenants, and captains among them who were there for Kennedy s funeral.