USAF

USAF

Two Events in Washington, D.C. ~ 1963 and 2023 ~ 60 years apart

November 22, 1963

I was a computer programmer and systems analyst with the Air Force Systems Command stationed at Andrews AFB in Suitland, MD outside Washington, D.C. from 1963 to 1967. I was living on the base on November 22nd, 1963 when all non-military personnel, and all military personnel not living on the base were required to leave the base immediately. Those of us living on the base went to the flight-line where the Air Force One hangar was located, and watched when Air Force One came back from Dallas where John F. Kennedy had been assassinated and landed with Jackie Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson on board.

Days later, I put my uniform on including what we called a "horse blanket" (my heavy Air Force coat) because it was the only warm clothing I had, and went to the US Capitol where President Kennedy was lying-in-state. I started at the end of the line at the Capitol at 11 PM. The line was about 10 people wide. I very slowly walked in the line away from the Capitol 12 blocks east on A Street, one block south, and then five blocks west on East Capitol Street back toward the Capitol. By this time it was about 4 AM, the line was about 18 people wide going across both lanes of the street, I had seven more blocks to go, my lower back hurt, and I was ready to give up. Right about then, a US Navy Chief was walking along the line, saw me, and said, "Airman, all military personnel in uniform go to the head of the line. Come with me." We walked the seven blocks to a lower doorway in the Capitol, we went up a spiral staircase, and I entered the US Capitol rotunda.