Anthony Kearns to Perform at JFK Ceremony Next Week

Tenor Anthony Kearns will be a 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 Tues., June 18, 2013.

His Excellency Ambassador Michael Collins will host 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 on Sat., June 22, 2013.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Irish Ambassador Michael Collins commented:

"We are delighted to have this opportunity to recall President Kennedy's visit to Ireland in such a special way during this 50(th) anniversary year. President Kennedy continues to be remembered with much admiration and affection in Ireland and particularly in Co. Wexford, from where his ancestors emigrated to America in the mid-19(th) century. We are honoured that we will be joined at Arlington National Cemetery by representatives of the Kennedy family, the Special Olympics Movement and United States Peace Corps. The performances of the national Anthems of the United States and Ireland by tenors Anthony Kearns and Michael Londra respectively will also make for a very memorable occasion."

"It's a privilege for me to sing at President Kennedy's gravesite for the official flame transfer," said Kearns, who will sing 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.

Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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