BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated while riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963.

A Pike County, Kentucky, native, the late Larry Bruce Smith, served as one of the pallbearers at the president’s funeral procession. He was born in Ransom on Blackberry Creek and attended Belfry High School.

Smith, who was just 18, joined the Navy in 1963 and was stationed at a base near Washington. He was a part of the honor guard, according to his son, Bruce Christopher Smith.

Smith said his late father never talked much about the historic time in American history. A regular at the open mic sessions held each month at 3 Guys Pizza in Williamson, West Virginia, he is naturally proud of his dad’s service.

“Dad was very humbled by the experience and didn’t talk about it a lot,” Bruce Christopher recalls. “Only if asked, of course.

“He never did any interviews because he said it was his duty and job.”

Bruce Christopher does recall one story his dad told him about the preparation for the funeral and procession.

“They were all getting ready for some kind of party when they got the news that the president had been shot. They started practicing that evening and through the night,” he recounted. “Carrying a solid oak casket filled with sandbags up and down the capital’s steps to make sure they were perfect and no exceptions.

“And he always said, ‘It was my honor and duty.’ He was a true patriot,” Bruce Christopher stressed.

Following the autopsy, Kennedy lay in repose in the East Room of the White House for 24 hours. President Lyndon Johnson issued a Presidential Proclamation, declaring Nov. 25 to be a national day of mourning,

Kennedy’s funeral service was Nov. 25 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral. His burial was at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

From the time the president’s body was moved from the White House to the Capitol Rotunda until his coffin was interred, American military forces from all four branches of service accompanied him.

Several elements of the state funeral paid tribute to President Kennedy’s service in the Navy during World War II. They included a member of the Navy bearing the presidential flag.

Bruce Christopher still has the orders his dad received detailing the duties of the honor guard and military pallbearers during the wake, funeral, and other ceremonies for the late President Kennedy.

After leaving the Navy, Larry Bruce Smith came back to the Tug Valley area. He retired from Massey Energy, where he worked at the Sprouse Creek processing plant as an equipment operator and welder.

“Dad was a gentleman’s gentleman,” his son said proudly. “He was known locally for his guitar playing and quick, funny wit.”

Bruce Christopher inherited his dad’s love for playing music, especially the guitar. He has played since he was just 9 years old.

Larry Bruce Smith passed away in June 2010.