"The Kennedy Detail" Tribute - The Pipeline

(from Sgt John Cummins, Texas)

Last night I had the privilege to view the Discovery Channel's THE KENNEDY DETAIL. I sat in silence throughout the program's airing, as I witnessed what appeared to be a difficult story for each agent to tell.

Having lived during that sad time in our nation's history, and seeing the additional federal inquiries that have been undertaken or proposed because of questions arising through the years, I always felt that the agents' silence outside of these investigations was not only an act of loyalty toward our slain leader, but also in loyalty to the Presidency itself. I would like to think tha the media at some point would realize this also and collectively stop trying to gain interviews.

I always assumed that no additional evidence would come from the agents' recollections of the events before and after the assassination, but rather that we would learn more about how they coped with the "trauma" in the coming days. I've always hoped that they were somehow able to be at peace, through knowing that a multitude of contributing factors allowed the incident to happen, and not anything they did. These men, I believe, are heroes of the highest order. At a time when insurmountable odds were present and hopelessness could have been graphically present, they chose to continue in their duties, with hope. that the President didn't survive was a tragedy for this nation; but many efforts that day were carried out with the best of determinations. We cannot be any less proud, that in the face of adversity and despair, those who wse depend on chose to continue tn their efforts even when the choice of giving up was well within reach.

I am grateful to every agent who participated in the creation of last night's program. Their difficulty in withholding emotion only showed the world that outside of their professional demeanor when at work, they are rightfully human. Thank you for letting us have a small glimpse of your personalities and for recalling an event which was undoubtedly difficult to relive.

Sincerely,

Sgt. John Cummins
Taylor County Sheriff's Office
Abilene, Texas
cumminsj@taylorcountytexas.org

Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service (AFAUSSS) Annual Meeting- New York City- August 26-28.

“The Kennedy Detail”

At the annual conference of the 2500 member former Secret Service Agents Association last week in New York City, Lisa McCubbin and I presented an overview of the book at the business meeting to ensure the agents that the publication was “Worthy of Trust and Confidence.” With six of the surviving members of the Kennedy Secret Service Detail in attendance, it was also an ideal opportunity to acknowledge their participation in the book and thank them for helping to ensure the accuracy of its contents. It was a proud moment when the members of the association gave us a standing ovation and tribute of recognition to the Kennedy Detail agents who were there.

Following the presentation Lisa and I presented a check to the organization for $5,000.00 to AFAUSSS President Ike Hendershot on behalf of the Kennedy Detail.

At the conference opening reception Clint Hill, Lisa McCubbin and I met with Secret Service Director Sullivan and discussed the book from the perspective of today’s operations. Clint Hill, who lives in the Washington DC area, had previously briefed the Director on the accuracy and purpose of writing the book.

I am the sole surviving charter member and a past president of the organization. The association was conceived by Floyd Boring and Jerry Behn with the assistance of fifteen charter members. Jerry Behn was the Special Agent in Charge of the Kennedy Detail and Floyd Boring was an Assistant Agent in Charge. The organization's mission is to maintain social and professional relationships, to liaison with the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies and to support and assist members of the Secret Service Family in times of stress or need, including scholarships.

The closing banquet featured speaker was former president Bill Clinton, who expressed his gratitude for the Secret Service and the professional manner with which they performed their mission.






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