Friday 7th September 2011
Members of a Massachusetts military company took part in a ceremony to mark the 50th Anniversary of the inauguration of US President John F. Kennedy in 1961.
At a special wreath laying ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Statue in New Ross, 96 members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company were accompanied by members of the Irish Naval Service who provided a Honour Guard.
President Kennedy was elected an honorary member of the company in 1961 and 75 officers and members took part in his inaugural parade in Washington on 20th January 1961.
The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company is the oldest chartered military organisation in North America and the third oldest in the world.
It was originally constituted as a citizen militia serving on active duty in defence of the Northern British Colonies and today serves as honour Guard to the Governor of Massachusetts, who is also its Commander in Chief.
John F. Kennedy was enrolled as a member on 16th April 1956.
