I was a 10 yr old then, growing up in DC. We went to the funeral procession. My memory isn't very good for the whole thing, but I do remember the riderless horse (which I found scary), the caisson, and someone lifting me up to stand on the base of a statue so I could see better. It was freezing. I don't remember if we dressed up (since people are making comments about the viewers' clothes).
I do recall crying a lot while watching tv, but thinking about it today, I think I was just carried away with the moment. I was really too young to have much feeling for Kennedy as a person, except, because I went to a Catholic school, we all felt bad because he was a Catholic.
Fast forward many years later and I'm in a chat room and meet a guy from Britain who played the bagpipes in the procession!
I wish I was back in DC now so I could go to the Capitol. Man, I'd love to participate in this.
Personally, Nancy Reagan appears more real than Mrs. Kennedy who appeared clearly scripted ala Hollywood.
I remember the Kennedy funeral procession well and I was amazed at the band music in today's procession. In 1963, it was only a muffled drum and today it was difficult to tell if even the drum was muffled. I will admit the muffled drum beat in 1963 made it somewhat more emotional. I love marching band music but did not appreciate it today and wondered why all the vehicles were in front of the caisson. Additionally, the riderless horse was photographed more in the Kennedy procession. I couldn't keep track of him today and at the end I could only hope that someone would take some water to all the horses.
Also, the flag on the casket in the Capitol Rotunda was not tied down for President Kennedy and Jacqueline and Caroline could reach under it and hold it. I would prefer to see it flowing free as opposed to tied down.