Check out the new album “A Community’s Tribute.” Many thanks to Norm Arndt for providing the album. It’s contributors like him that make this work.

Click here or on the album covers to listen!

Here’s some more information:

From Norm Arndt, “I have an original of this album if you are interested Dan.. mostly Dirge music by our band but you are welcome to it. Title is ‘A COMMUNITY’S TRIBUTE’ and was recorded when we performed for JFK’s funeral in Philly… 1963

Norm (Buddy) Arndt 62/64JC”.

Here’s the text from the back of the album cover:

“On November 22, 1963, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, was assassinated in Dallas. Philadelphians grieved the loss no more than other Americans, but with a special relevance. For it was in their city that the concepts of Government which President Kennedy had been charged to maintain were born. It was for this reason that WCAU-TV, as a service to the Community, initiated and arranged for A COMMUNITY’S TRIBUTE to the murdered President. The tribute took place November 24, 1963 on the steps of Independence Hall, the place where the United States Constitution was born; the place where President Abraham Lincoln’s body, less than 98 years earlier, had laid in state after his assassination; the place where on July 4, 1962, President Kennedy himself had spoken to the City and the Nation. Ten thousand Philadelphians, among them many distinguished artists, educators, jurists, representatives of business, labor, and civic organizations, joined with the Governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey; the Secretary of State of Delaware; U.S. Senators; the Mayor of Philadelphia; diplomats and prominent clergymen, to pay their respects to a murdered President, Master of ceremonies was John Facenda. Music was provided by the Marching Band of Valley Forge Military Academy; and Singing City Choirs, under the direction of Elaine Brown. Among those who also contributed to the ceremony were the Mounted Troop of the Fairmount Park Guards; the Police Department Highway Patrol Drill Team – which at President Kennedy’s request rode in his inaugural parade – and honor guards from all branches of the Armed Services. It is with a sense of the history of the moment in which all of the above participated that WCAU-TV has recorded this, A COMMUNITY’S TRIBUTE.“