From the S&S archives:
Gen. Polk Leads Berlin Brigade in Memorial

BERLIN — Americans of many faiths joined in a memorial service for President Kennedy in the Sports Center gymnasium here Monday.

"It is difficult indeed for all of us to comprehend the fact of the President's untimely death — the brutality and the utter heedlessness of it," said Maj Gen James H. Polk, U.S. commandant in West Berlin.

"The whole world recoiled at the facts of his death, and it is better not to dwell on them," he said. "We are fortunate to be able to remember him as he was in Berlin last June and to remember the joy and love that was showered on him by the citizens of Berlin and his response on that memorable day."

The Roman Catholic and Protestant choirs of the American community combined to sing the words of the 23rd Psalm and an ancient hymn of praise. Prayers were said by Louis I. Fischer, Jewish representative, and Protestant Chaplain (Col) L. G. Schliesser. Catholic Chaplain (Lt Col) F. N. Maguire read from St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians. The service closed with taps played by a trumpeter of the Berlin Brigade band.

After the service, artillery of the Berlin Brigade fired a 21-gun salute, Berliners and Americans continued to stream into U.S. Hq to sign a condolence book