Former President Bill Clinton and members of the Kennedy family are at Arlington National Cemetery to mark the 50th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s death.
Kennedy, a former attorney general and New York senator, was assassinated 50 years ago Wednesday at the age of 42. He was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles by Sirhan Sirhan on June 5, 1968 and died the next day. He left behind a wife, Ethel, and 11 children.
The Navy veteran is buried at Arlington near his brother, former President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated four years before his younger brother.
Clinton, Kennedy’s daughter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and his grandson Joe Kennedy III are set to give speeches at the event today.
Country singer Kenny Chesney is scheduled to perform.
In addition to the ceremonies at Arlington, a special exhibition is planned at the home in suburban Boston where Kennedy was born. The nine-room birthplace in Brookline has family furnishings, photographs and mementos on display.
The anniversary was not marked by the president, but Vice President Mike Pence issued his own statement on Twitter about the beloved Democrat.
‘Today marks 50 years since the passing of #RFK—a figure who inspired my youth and inspires me still,’ Pence wrote. ‘America will never forget his speech in Indianapolis the night of MLK’s assassination. He spoke words that brought comfort and unity to the American people.’
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