by Jari Villanueva
The JFK Gravesite-Arlington National Cemetery
Just about every person over the age of fifty can tell you where they were, how they felt and what they did upon hearing the news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Sergeant Keith Clark, Principal Bugler of the U.S. Army Band, was going through his collection of rare books when he heard the radio report, and immediately went to the nearest barber for a haircut, thinking he might be asked to sound Taps should the Chief Executive be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Clark had played for hundreds of funerals and ceremonies at Arlington and had performed for President Kennedy several times, including sounding Taps at the Tomb of the Unknowns two weeks earlier, during Armistice Day (Veterans Day) ceremonies.
President Kennedy attends Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery November 11, 1963. Clark is the bugler. Photo by Cecil Stoughton, White House/John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library, Boston
Never did the eloquent melody of Taps, created one hundred years earlier during the Civil War, have a larger audience than on Monday, November 25, 1963 when world leaders, statesmen, and dignitaries gathered at Arlington to mourn the president’s death. Millions worldwide watched the proceedings on television.
Clark's view-The funeral procession view from ANC
The November day was unusually chilly and Clark was in place hours before the funeral procession arrived at Arlington. From his position on the hill in front of the Custis-Lee Mansion, he had the perfect location to watch the funeral parade as it approached the cemetery. Kennedy’s casket was borne to the grave as fifty jet fighters flew in formation overhead, followed by Air Force One. A corps of Irish cadets executed a silent drill and then Richard Cardinal Cushing began the commitment rites. Cushing led the mourners in “The Lord’s Prayer,” then stepped back as military honors began. The command “Present Arms” was followed by the firing of three volleys, traditional at every serviceman’s funeral. Clark raised his bugle to sound Taps. It was the final movement of the musical honors accorded all military funerals. “Day is done…” Clark started the bugle call as he had done so many times. He thought of the words of I Corinthians 15:51-52, “..we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” The notes resounded over all assembled, though in Clark’s mind the call was sounded only for the widow, Jacqueline Kennedy.
Taps at the funeral
“Gone the sun…” On the sixth word (sun), he cracked the note. It was, as recalled by author William Manchester, “like a catch in your voice, or a swiftly stifled sob.” The broken note was considered the only conspicuous slip in the otherwise ornate and grandiose ceremony. Some thought it to be a deliberate effect. It was not. The cold temperature was not conducive to musical perfection.
“…from the lake, from the hills, from the sky. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.” He finished the rest of the call perfectly. Clark saluted his Commander-in-Chief as the casket bearers folded the flag, which was presented to Mrs. Kennedy.
Keith Clark
Tags: 1963, assassination, funeral, JFK, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, president, taps
I was but a baby of 5 years,yet I remcall my Mother & Dad openly crying over the anouncement of JFK’s passing.My dad was in the Army in WWI/II,awarded the Purple as so many others and Honorably Distcharged.I was in the Cub Scouts right through to Boy Scouts and a bugler there.I also served in the Army and for a time played bugle there-in,too.I whatched the BAA performance on PBS TV last year and imediatly afterwards joined.I am yet to have the local honor to play,yet am in no-way in a hurry that any local vet should pass.Belonging also to the local Knights of Columbus Council 3978…;I vow to practice & play with respect.
– Mr.Wright,M.D.
US Army,Dissabled Vet.
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A year ago I joined “Bulgles Across America” after having never played in the last 40 years. Since then, I’ve been practicing about an hour a week thinking I needed to be perfect. Not long into my efforts, I came across the JFK rendition… Going forward, when asked to play, I’ll not hesitate… My two concerns were that I’d mess up or break down during the tribute.. In reflection, neither will matter. Bill
On Friday November 22, 1963 I was in high school biology class. After cramming @ 2,500 baby boomers into the old band / school play stage / basketball court at an assembly we were told of the assassination.
Many of the young girls swooned, fainted and openly cried. The entire week end the country was essentially on hold. No other news mattered except the assassination and funeral to come.
To be very honest, I think the so-called “cracked note” went unnoticed by most people at that time, I did not recall it and I was in Band !
America at that time was not a 24 / 7, instant news cycle [ however we knew very quickly when JFK died ] America at that time accepted human triumph and failure and to me, the “cracked note” demonstrates a human character, we are all flawed. America itself was “cracked”, if you will.
Having played Taps for a few years now, having “cracked” many a note, certainly rarely playing as well Live as in practice session, it is my opinion this is one of the cornerstones of a Taps Bugler and my feeling is Americans, especially Veterans remained moved by the human element the Taps Bugler provides ‘cracks’ and all.
Semper fidelis [ 1968 - 74 ]
Jim Hixson PFC, USMC, Retired
I was in Jr. High, must have been 8th grade, when the announcement came over the loud speaker. It was like a pall was cast over the school, and the nation. It was like everything came to a stop. I watched the funeral but do not remember the cracked note. I am an active trumpter and have played Taps at many, many military funerals. I consider this a privilege and honor.
this is a truly moving story. I cant imagine how nerve-wracking it would be to play taps at the largest funeral for one of your greatest leaders. wow.
To me, the broken note represents a glitch in our strong country, one which had been hit by an evil force and hurt but not destroyed. The entire ceremony was precise, detailed and filled with emotion…the note missed seemed to bring to mind that we aren’t ever perfect, yet we do survive.
During the 1990′s Keith Clark was living at Port Charlotte, Florida. I had
the priviledge of traveling there to study trumpet with Keith. He played
in my British style brass band, The Southerners British Brass Band, of
Naples, Ft. Myers, Florida, during that time. Keith was a professional
musician, an excellent teacher, and a fine gentleman. May God bless
his soul and grant him peace.
Respectfully,
former S/Sgt. Robert B. Thurston
425th 2nd Army Band
I was watching the Memorial Day concert and remembered the cracked note.
I was only 10 years old at the time of John Kennedy’s funeral, off from school for three days mourning, home watching the TV with everyone else in America, I guess, and that sour note, during the sounding of “Taps” has resounded in my memory ever since. I have mentioned it to others over the years, all whom thought I was crazy. I have never read about it, heard mention of it from others, nor been able to find any reference of it, anywhere……..until now. I was just watching an HBO program, “A President to Remember”, and I heard “Taps” being played at the service at Arlington again, and there was the cracked note. Funny, the things you remember from when you were a kid.
I was 12-years old when JFK was murdered and was my Detroit’s grade school’s top trumpet player, so I was directed to play Taps at an outdoor memorial assembly for the president. I cracked the exact same note. It was my first public performance of Taps. In the nearly 50 years since, I’ve played Taps at dozens of funeral and hundreds of Retreat ceremonies at the Air Force Academy during my cadet days. Never broke the note but that once. Seems rather odd, eh?
Sincerely yours,
ALLAN HOWEY
Colonel, USAF, Retired