Today was another great installment in the Sixth Floor Museum's Living History series featuring individuals who witnessed the assassination of President John F. Kennedy or other historic events of the 1960s. Today Dallas native, Dr. Thomas McConnell who was Medical Officer of the Day at the Pentagon on Nov. 22, 1963, and was assigned duties at the White House, U.S. Capitol and Arlington National Cemetery that weekend.
Dr. McConnell was an amateur photographer and presented wonderful photographs he captured over the weekend. Photos that include close up of Jackie O and the kids watching the funeral procession. The most moving was a photo from Arlington Cemetery as the family walked away with the flag at half staff and the fallen President's casket being lowered into the grave. Along with the photos Dr. McConnell told tales of that weekend at the White House.
Following the Living History program, Dr. McConnell autographed copies of his book Dead Wrong which is a series of vignettes from Dr. McConnell's long career in medicine. Several of the stories involve the Kennedy assassination. Later as a pathologist he became interested in the Kennedy autopsy and engaged in correspondence with then Republican Representative Gerald Ford, later President Ford, who was the ranking Republican on the Warren Commission. Dr. McConnell's autopsy experience with gunshot victims informs his theory that the Warren Commission came to the right conclusion but for the wrong reasons.
Caleb and several other members of the Youth Advisory Committee were able to get their photos taken with Dr. McConnell.
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
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