/internal/media/dispatcher/24877/fullImage of Govenor Connally and Jackie Kennedy greeting dignitaries at Love Field11/22/196315/16 × 1 7/16 in. (2.4 × 3.6 cm)FilmTom C. Dillard Collection, The Dallas Morning News/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza1994.003.0007.00050Black and white 35mm negative showing Governor Connally, Jacqueline and President Kennedy meeting the dignitaries at Love Field on November 22, 1963. The image was taken by Tom C. Dillard, Chief Photographer at The Dallas Morning News.
In the image, Governor Connally and Jacqueline Kennedy are at the head of the line of people exiting Air Force One. A portion of Present Kennedy's left side can be seen behind the governor and Jacqueline Kennedy. There are at least two men behind President Kennedy and three more men coming down the stairs. "EASTERN AIR LINES," is printed in white letters on a black ground on two of the stairs pictured.
Governor Connally holds his cowboy hat in his left hand as he stands next to Jacqueline Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy is wearing her pink suit, and holds a bouquet of red roses in her left arm. She is shaking hands with a woman standing in the line of dignitaries. On the left side of the image, more people standing in line can also be seen.
The body of Air Force One takes up most of the background; the silver, reflective underbelly of the plane is visible.
Photographs650393.60000000002.400000000011834Negative (b&w)0E-10Original black and white 35mm negative by Dallas Morning News chief photographer Tom Dillard. The image shows a group of dignitaries lined up on the tarmac near Air Force One at Love Field to greet the Kennedys on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. Governor Connally and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy speak to J. Erik Jonsson while President Kennedy and the rest of the presidential party follow closely behind them. On the far left stands James E. Smith, then president of the Dallas Negro Chamber of Commerce, and U.S. Attorney Barefoot Sanders.PhotographsTrip to TexasRosesConnally, JohnKennedy, JacquelineJonsson, J. ErikKennedy, John F.Smith, James E.Sanders, BarefootDillard, Tom C.DallasThe only African American on the airport reception committee for the Kennedys on November 22, 1963 was community leader and civil rights advocate James E. Smith, then president of the Dallas Negro Chamber of Commerce. He is visible on the far left of this photo, standing next to U.S. Attorney Barefoot Sanders. Smith's son, Lee Stanley Smith, recorded an oral history with the Museum - and donated his late father's Airport Reception badge and Dallas Trade Mart luncheon invitation - in 2025. - Stephen Fagin, Curator In addition to Vice President and Mrs. Johnson, the official welcoming party at Dallas Love Field included Mayor Earle Cabell and his wife Dearie, who presented the bouquet of red roses to Mrs. Kennedy, as well as future Dallas Mayor J. Erik Jonsson, a co-founder of Texas Instruments, Inc. and then president of the influential Dallas Citizens Council. A little over one hour after this photograph was taken, solemnly remarking that he felt like he did when Pearl Harbor was bombed, Jonsson informed the luncheon crowd at the Dallas Trade Mart that President Kennedy had been shot. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator