Community's Tribute, A (1963)

ask standing from Independence Hall in Philadelphia a community's tribute this is John Fender as the body of President John F Kennedy lies in state at the Grand rotunda the capital in Washington philadelphians are gathering here at Independence Hall here to mourn along with millions of Americans throughout these United States [Music] we beet today before this house in which was written the world's longest lived Testament to orderly government and the ultimate sanity of man the United States Constitution it is ironic that the ACT which briefly left our nation without a chief still reinforces in us our belief in the meaningful events that took place here 176 years ago indeed this is a community's tribute to a nation's leader a leader who particularly caught the imaginations of the peoples of Pennsylvania New Jersey and Delaware and is also a tribute from the people of the city who had an affection for Mr Kennedy and who were held in high esteem by him in return political observers say that President Kennedy gained office in 1960 largely through the overwhelming plurality that he drew here in the city of Philadelphia but this is hardly the time for politics nor is it an occasion for pump of grandeur this procession is made up of elements which have been associated with our late president the fount Park guard mounted troop which had marched with Mr Kennedy when he visited here the Valley Forge Military Academy's marching band which with the singing City choirs have performed for many presidents the [Music] honor guards of the Marine Corp the Navy the Air Force and the Army also join in this commemorative gesture to our 35th president [Music] a [Music] [Applause] [Music] h [Music] the [Music] h [Music] l [Music] the city's police Highway Patrol always escorted the president on his visits here to the city of Philadelphia at his own request they escorted Mr Kennedy down Pennsylvania Avenue on his way to his inagural [Music] [Music] Statesmen and poet Soldier businessman at educator Diplomat scientist we all participate here today in an almost unreal and unbearable experience a final tribute to a president shot dead by an assassin 2 days ago [Music] [Music] the the must be and [Music] for still [Music] oh the [Music] turn the right Reverend monor John J noon Vice Chancellor of the arch dicese of Philadelphia in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Ghost amen my dearest friends you are exhorted to mark this observance prayerfully that all may obtain some measure of the spiritual strength vital to this moment we begin with this prayer oh almighty God creator and Redeemer of all mankind merciful father thou knowest the weakness of our nature so look down with pity Upon Us thy servants upon whom thou Hast laid the heavy burden of Sorrow by the sudden death of our faithful and beloved President John Fitzgerald Kennedy Grant him eternal life and take away out of our hearts the spirit of rebellion grant that we may not languish in suit in fruitless and unavailing grief and sorrow as those who have no hope but through our tears look meekly and confidently up to thee the God of all consolation through Christ Our Lord amen [Music] [Music] [Music] for my [Music] my [Music] [Music] [Music] Jr [Music] [Applause] with us are Statesmen present and past performing artists scientists leaders of Civic groups Educators representatives of the military clergymen diplomats members of the Council of Corp the Judiciary and a distinguished group of creative artists and these last perhaps dear to Mr Kennedy's heart than to any other presidents ladies and gentlemen the honorable James HJ Tate mayor of the city of Philadelphia Reverend clergy direct to see the governor of Pennsylvania directly the governor of New Jersey the representative of the governor of the state of Delaware distinguished guests and fellow Americans usually it is my assignment to extend greetings to those who appear at observances at this hallowed spot but today in this great day of morning I greet you in sorrow for this is a time of real sorrow for Philadelphia for our nation and for the world the life of our beloved and martyred president a life of sacrifice and of a nobl achievement of true greatness and the full Dignity of man under the Provident hand of almighty God would have no meaning unless we bow our heads in prayer for the Repose of his soul through our grief we should raise our heads again in Hope and supplication that our new president lynon V Johnson received the strength and guidance to lead our nation through these difficult days to the future of peace and Justice and freedom which John Fitzgerald Kennedy and vision as mayor of this great city as one who who was so proud to have known John Fitzgerald Kennedy in an official and a personal capacity I have proclaimed Monday the day of his funeral to be one of morning marked by the closing of all municipal buildings and public buildings too I have respectfully urged that all business and Commercial establishments in the city mark this day of morning appropriately so that all person may visit their respective houses of worship to attend Memorial services or to kneel in private prayer as their choice may be to seek consolation and to strengthen their will for the days that lie ahead the death of our great president is truly a sin against humanity itself for he was the world's leading spokesman of Good Will and tolerance for all men of all Nations I trust as I know all of you do and Trust to and hope that his death will serve as a beacon to guide us in our daily lives and to inspire all of us to practice those virtues for which he became a martyr only two days ago may God have mercy on his soul and may God be with all of us in this hour of our need Robert Frost one of America's truest poets who died only several months before his friend President Kennedy ushered in the ERA with an ode read at the inauguration not yet three years ago the distinguished American actress Miss iila gallan will read a poem which appeared in Mr Frost's last published volume the one that contains the inaugural once by the Pacific by Robert Frost the shattered water made a misty din Great Waves looked over others coming in and thought of doing something to the shore that water never did to land before the clouds were low and hairy in the skies like locks blown forward in The Gleam of eyes you could not tell and yet it looked as if the sand was lucky in being backed by Cliff the cliff in being backed by continent it looked as though a night of Dark Intent was coming and not only a night an age someone had better be prepared for rage there would be more than ocean water broken before God's last turn out the light was spoken our ring all ruling [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] and [Music] of God of God [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] representing Governor Elbert n carvo is the secretary of the state of Delaware The Honorable Elijah Dukes Reverend clergy distinguished guests and friends only once in several Generations is a nation blessed with an administrator who possesses the unique qualities that privilege him to wear the mantle of genuine greatness unfortunately this nation of ours has just lost such a man The Genius of John Fitzgerald Kennedy was not confined to any single area and he had from the day he entered public office proven himself capable of dealing with problems of every nature he was an accomplished leader locally nationally and internationally in a face of a Relentless and ex exasperating Cold War Mr Kennedy not only retained composure but he held this great nation secure against the vicious forces that work so relentlessly against freedom and democracy President Kennedy was a leader in the truest sense while always eager to be advised he retained command and accepted responsibility in all situations my fellow Americans it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead let us continue to remember our beloved president in our daily prayers and let us ask ourselves what President Kennedy would expect of us at this trying time if you recall he emphasized at his inauguration that we should all ask not what our country could do for us but rather what can we do for our country I am certain that this courageous man would call upon us to muster our strength to Marshal our forces and to carry on the work of the country he loved so well the Reverend Henry H Nichols pastor of the James Methodist Church and president of the Philadelphia Council of churches let us pray Eternal God our Father we thy children come to thee at an hour so difficult to face conscious that thou art our father and we are thy children that thou Hast bid us come and that thou would give to us the comfort and the strength that we would need in this and every trying hour we pray this afternoon that as the world joins with us in mourning the loss of a great president that thou will comfort and sustain and strengthen his family that they may be able to look Beyond the Valley of the Shadows of death to a loving father who bids to them as well as to us to come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest and in the days that are yet ahead may they continue to look to thee who has promised never to leave us or forsake us and upon whom we can cast our burdens because you love us forgive us for our failures for we realize that it is because we have failed to do the things that we ought to have done that such tragedy could come to us at this time forgive us and help us to build a monument to our late president by renewing our vows to thee and seeking to hasten the day when thy kingdom shall come in the hearts of all men as it is in heaven grant us wisdom and grant us courage for the facing of this hour for the living of these days in the name of Our Risen Lord we pray amen [Music] [Applause] [Music] with [Music] [Music] are [Music] glor [Music] [Applause] [Music] we all Angels my [Music] [Music] more for Wonder [Music] [Music] [Applause] speaking now for the 37 nations with councelor representatives in the city of Philadelphia Mr Thomas EST tal Her bratanic Majesty's Council to the city of Philadelphia distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen here at Independence Hall 18 months ago the man whom we honor today proclaimed the interdependence of all Nations it is perhaps therefore fitting that one person however inadequately should try to speak not only on behalf of his colleagues and himself and the countries which they represent but also perhaps for all those countless millions of men and women across the seas who share this hour with you for this is a universal tragedy we all mourn with the American people we share with them their shock and their grief we join with them in their outpourings of sympathy and in their prayers for Mrs Kennedy and for the president's family we offer to our prayers and support for President Johnson in the tasks which lie ahead of him