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Mayor Sarno and Congressman Neal Join JFK Remembrance Committee for 60th Annual Remembrance Service

|   City News

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Congressman Richard E. Neal joined the Springfield Board of Park Commissioners, Executive Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Patrick Sullivan, James E. Sullivan, and members of the JFK Remembrance Committee on Wednesday afternoon for the 60th JFK Remembrance Ceremony at the Eternal Flame in Forest Park. The remembrance is held annually to honor the memory of President John F. Kennedy on the date of his assassination: November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.

State Senator Jacob Oliveira, City Councilor Tim Allen, Councilor-elect Brian Santaniello, School Committeeman Chris Collins, Health and Human Service Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Superintendent Daniel Warwick, City Solicitor Judge John Payne, Chief of Staff Tom Ashe, Communications Director Bill Baker, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, the Golden Voice of Springfield Vanesa Ford, and many others were also in attendance.  Tony Cignoli served as the emcee for the ceremony.

An eternal flame was erected in Forest Park by supporters and admirers of the late President. It is one of only two in the nation dedicated and maintained in memory of President Kennedy. Luminaries, former Springfield Mayor William C. Sullivan, James Sullivan, Hon. Edward P. Boland, Judge Daniel M. Keyes, William Marrott and others created the tribute. They all knew JFK, worked in his U.S. Senate campaigns as well as his Presidential campaign.

This year, Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director of PBRM, and his team made special preparations for the tribute and the public. An incredible display of large boards detailing JFK’s presidency will be on display in the former Monkey house at Forest Park, in line-of-sight to the JFK Eternal Flame.

The boards were created by Leslie Bercume of the Parks Department. Renowned local historians and authors Wayne Phaneuf and Joseph Carvalho prepared all the information for the boards.

The public is invited to view the exhibit Wednesday, and again from Friday to Sunday next week.

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Page last updated:  Tuesday, March 1, 2022 01:32 pm