An Invocation for West Hollywood’s Veteran Day Observances; Delivered by Rabbi Denise L. Eger on Sunday, Nov. 11, 200:

On this Veteran’s Day, we honor all those women and men of our armed services who have served to protect and defend our Constitution and our country. We honor their service. We honor their dignity. We honor their commitment. We pay homage to their valor and courage. We give thanks for their lives.

O, Holy One of Blessing, bless our veterans and their families. They who have given so much. They who have given their lives and their limbs to uplift democracy and bring peace around the world. All who have engaged in battle to bring justice and to bring hope to the many corners of the world. O Holy One of Blessing, bless them and heal them from wounds seen and hidden deep within their souls.

On this Veteran’s Day, O Holy One of Blessing, bless the memory of those who died in service of our nation. We honor them on this day as well.

On this Veteran’s Day, O Holy One of Blessing, bless those who now are serving in our armed forces. Keep them from harm’s way wherever they serve, Iraq or Afghanistan, Europe or Asia, here in our own nation. Bless them on land and in the air, and on the sea. And bring them home in safety to their family and friends.

Bless our country that it may be a stronghold of peace and its advocate among the counsel of nations.
O Holy One of Blessing, we humbly ask You to establish You household of Peace in our world—So that as Your great Prophet Isaiah once taught (2:4): Let them beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks, Let nation not lift up sword against nation and let them learn war no more.

Amen.

Posted by Aaron at November 12, 2007 12:49 PM