Friday, August 28th, 2009There will be some good people speaking about Senator Kennedy and his life. It's only fitting for a man that spent over 40 years serving the constituents in MA.
Lie in Repose at John F. Kennedy Library and Museum8 a.m.-3 p.m. Senator Kennedy will lie in repose at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.
Within one hour of the line being opened to the public on Thursday, 12,000 people came to pay their respects to Senator Kennedy. By 10pm, 21,000 people—from all corners of the world—stood in line to thank Senator Kennedy, and hours were extended to 2:00 a.m.
This event is open to the public and pooled press.
Celebration of Life Memorial Service7 p.m.-9 p.m. A private memorial will be held for Senator Kennedy at the JFK Library and Museum with Senator Kennedy’s family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will honor Senator Kennedy and his love of family and friends, his passion for life and his commitment to public service. The memorial is a way for the people closest to Senator Kennedy to celebrate his life—with his love of music, laughter and stories with friends and family he adored. Many members of Senator Kennedy’s family and close friends will participate in the program, as will representatives of his Senate and Massachusetts families.
The celebration is closed to the public and press corps size will be limited due to space constraints.
The speaking program includes:
- Paul G. Kirk, Jr.
- Father Gerry Creedon, S.J., Opening Prayer
- “God Bless America,” Boston Community Chorus
- Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II
- Senator Christopher J. Dodd
- Nick Littlefield
- Governor Deval L. Patrick
- Senator John McCain
- Video Tribute
Directed by Ken Burns and Mark Herzog
- Senator John F. Kerry
- Senator Orrin G. Hatch
- “The Impossible Dream” sung by Brian Stokes Mitchell, soloist
- Mayor Thomas M. Menino
- Senator John C. Culver
- “Just A Closer Walk with Thee,” sung by Boston Community Chorus
- Vice President Joseph R. Biden
- Caroline Kennedy
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Funeral Mass10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Senator Kennedy’s funeral mass will take place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica,1545 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA
Guidance Note: While his daughter, Kara, was battling lung cancer at a nearby Boston hospital, Senator Kennedy attended Our Lady of Perpetual Hope each day and prayed for Kara and her recovery. Over time, the Basilica took on special meaning for him as a place of hope and optimism.
This event is closed to the public and press will be pooled.
Washington, D.C. Motorcade, Stop at U.S. CapitolApprox. 3:00 p.m. Arrival of Senator Kennedy at Andrews Air Force Base.
4:30 p.m. Arrival at U.S. Capitol
The Senator’s motorcade will stop at the Senate steps for a brief prayer so that Senate staff and members of the broader Senate community with whom the Senator worked can bid a final farewell.
Motorcade Route From Andrews Air Force base, Senator Kennedy's motorcade will proceed to the east plaza of the US Capitol building. The motorcade will enter through the Independence Ave entrance and proceed past the Senate Chamber steps. The motorcade will then proceed to Arlington National Cemetery via Constitution Ave.
Arlington National Cemetery5:30 p.m. A burial service for Senator Kennedy will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.
The burial service is closed to the public and pooled press.
Senator Kennedy will be laid to rest next to President Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery. Senator Kennedy spent more days than most at Arlington, the resting place for our nation’s heroes, visiting the graves of his beloved brothers and paying tribute to the fallen men and women of Massachusetts who gave their lives for our country.
Cspan will also show today's memorial service and tomorrows burial service live.
