OFFICIAL OPENING OF JFK HALL IN 1963

LEINSTER LEADER, SATURDAY, 21st DECEMBER, 1963: Committee members and voluntary workers who helped in the building of Kilcullen's new boxing club premises pictured after the recent blessing and official opening of the Hall. 

Very Rev J L Furlong, PP, is in front centre between Mr Pat Lynch (left) and Mr Joe McGowan. At left centre back are Col and Mrs Loren A Ayers, Ballymore-Eustace. 

Col Ayers officially named the new Hall the J F Kennedy Memorial Hall when he unveiled a picture of the late President of the United States. (Photo: MP Fleming. Clipping courtesy Joe Murray.)

Footnote from your Editor: Col Ayers was an American Army officer who, during the rapid US forces advance into France after getting off the WW2 Normandy D-Day beachheads, devised what became known as the 'Red Ball Express' to get supplies and gasoline to the forward lines. They used 5,958 trucks, and a one-way system on the narrow French roads. 

Ayers was at the time chief of MTB (Motor Transport Brigade), in charge of gathering and training drivers and obtaining equipment. The name “Red Ball” borrowed from a railroad term indicating a freight train that was to be given the right-of-way.

Col Ayers died in 1994, at the age of 86, at his home in California.

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