Photo Flash: Anthony Kearns Performs at JFK Ceremony in D.C.

Tenor Anthony Kearns was the special guest singer at the official U.S. ceremony commemorating the 50(th) Anniversary of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's historic visit to Ireland at Arlington National Cemetery on June 18, 2013. Scroll down for photos of Kearns singing "The Star Spangled Banner"!

His Excellency Ambassador Michael Collins hosted the lighting ceremony of the Gathering Torch from The Eternal Flame at President Kennedy's gravesite. The flame will then travel via airplane and naval patrol vessel to Ireland to light The Emigrant Flame in New Ross, County Wexford tomorrow, June 22, 2013.

"It's a privilege for me to sing at President Kennedy's gravesite for the official flame transfer," said Kearns, who sang the U.S. National Anthem ("The Star Spangled Banner."). "President Kennedy, a great American President, was a beacon of light for the Irish people because they considered him one of their own."

President Kennedy, America's first Irish-Catholic president, made his final overseas trip to Ireland in June 1963 following his famous trip to Berlin. Kearns, a County Wexford, Ireland native, sang at the dedication of the bronze statue of President Kennedy in New Ross in 2008.

Following his Arlington performance, Mr. Kearns will return to Ireland for back-to-back concerts. On June 21, 2013, he will be joined by soprano Cara O'Sullivan at A Summer's Evening on the Quad. The following day, on June 22, he will perform at "The Last Rose of Summer -- A Bicentenary Celebration" in Jenkinstown Park, Kilkenny, as part of the year-long celebration of Irish culture in Ireland called "The Gathering."

Mr. Kearns recently sang "America the Beautiful" with a 260-member chorus from all over the USA during the televised National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. Kearns also sang as the guest of Speaker John Boehner at the Friends of Ireland Lunch for President Barack Obama, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, members of Congress, foreign dignitaries, and others. In January, Kearns performed at a pre-Inaugural brunch for Medal of Honor recipients as the guest of GenerAl Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Kearns has also performed for other great Irish Americans, including Governors Bob McDonnell (VA) and Martin O'Malley (MD), among others.

Mr. Kearns is a founding member of The Irish Tenors. His appearance at the 50(th) Anniversary Celebration of President Kennedy's Trip to Ireland was arranged by Kirsten Fedewa & Associates, LLC.

Photos courtesy of Kirsten Fedewa & Associates, LLC.