JFK's Secret Service agents reflect on loss of a president (first time ever)

[alp227]

Arlington, Virginia (CNN) -- After mostly avoiding the spotlight for decades, many of the former U.S. Secret Service agents who were assigned to protect President John F. Kennedy are now offering their accounts of the day he was assassinated, 47 years ago Monday.

After the first shot hit the president, former agent Clint Hill says, "I saw him grab at his throat and lean to his left. So I jumped and ran." Hill is the man seen running toward the limousine in the famous film of the shooting, captured by a bystander named Abraham Zapruder. Hill jumped onto the back of the presidential car, in a desperate attempt to protect the president.

"Just before I got to the car, the third shot hit him in the head." Hill says."It was too late."

First lady Jackie Kennedy had climbed onto the back hood of the car, but Hill moved her back into her seat, and attempted to shield the two of them from any further bullets, as the car sped to the hospital.

Full story: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/22/jfk.anniversary.agents/index.html

[DesertFlower]

1. i saw them on CNN yesterday.

[Octafish]

2. Did they mention what happened at Love Field?

This image is from a video that shows Secret Service Agent Robert Emory ordering SSA Clint Hill and SSA Henry J. Rybka off their stations behind the President and First Lady as their limousine leaves Love Field for the infamous motorcade through Dallas and Dealey Plaza. Rybka's body language shows he's baffled by Emory's order.



More detail: AGENTS GO ON RECORD.

Get more background on Secret Service Agent Emory Roberts, who ordered Secret Service Agent Henry J. Rybka off the bumper of JFK's limousine at Love Field:

THE STRANGE ACTIONS (AND INACTION) OF AGENT EMORY ROBERTS.

Vince Palamara recorded interviews with all the Secret Service agents he could find -- otherwise this history would be scrubbed or lost, depending on your POV.

[BlueIris]

3. Thanks, Octa. nt

[jobycom]

4. Looks like a guy saying "Where am I supposed to ride?"

:shrug: Imagine me shrugging like that and asking "What's unusual about that?"

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

5. Bush's SS agents reflect on their actions after Bush was told "The country is under attack."

Oh, that's right - they didn't do anything! Just let him continue to sit in a pre-announced location at a scheduled time and listen to "My Pet Goat" while the country so desperately needed leadership.

What is significant in JFK's assassination is that the agents' description of their thoughts and actions match what is seen on the Zapruder film.