Sept. 5, 1963 - Rain dampened but did not wash out the diplomatic welcome President Kennedy tendered today to King Mohammad Zahir and Queen Homaira of Afghanistan. A steady downpour fell on the two men, the Queen, and Mr. Kennedy’s sister, Mrs. Sargent Shriver, at the ceremony on the south lawn of the White House. Mrs. Shriver acted as hostess in the absence of Mrs. Kennedy, who is still at Hyannis Port, Mass., recuperating from the birth of a son who died last month. This afternoon, the two leaders stood bareheaded in the rain for about 15 minutes. “Though the rain may come down,” Mr. Kennedy told the King, “I can assure you of a very warm welcome in the hearts of all my countrymen.” The King replied that he hoped his state visit would “serve to strengthen the already friendly ties between our countries.” It is his first visit to the United States.
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