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Princeton Veterans' Day Luncheon Celebration: Friday November 6, 2015,
12:30 PM, Sea Pines Country Club
INVOCATION AND BENEDICTION
Rabbi Dr Arthur Segal, Hilton Head Island, SC
Good Afternoon beloved Friends:
Dear Eternal Source of All: We gather together today to honor, and to learn from, the experiences of this esteemed panel of veterans. This wisdom was gained during their time in service, for our great nation, during the Second World War.
We thank you, dear God, for bringing them, and others from this Greatest Generation, and all veterans, home safely , and to Old Nassau.
We show honor and thanks, before you Almighty One, to those who sacrificed during times of war, in order that we might have liberty and freedom and security. We ask You, Heavenly Parent, to bless all Veterans, both living and dead, who fought on the land, in the air, and on the seas. We ask for blessings as well, for the men and women, in labor and industry, who provided the machinery and weapons for this great battle called World War Two. Let us not forget those who served in all actions, in defense of our freedom, liberty, democracy, and American way of life.
Oh Blessed One: Rekindle within us a flame of selfless, unwavering devotion to duty, that we may never be found wanting, in those qualities of spirit and mind. These are necessary to preserve our homes, our communities, and the peace of our Nation. Keep our memories alive with GRATITUDE, and our gratitude alive with our FAITHFULNESS to the principles which made our Nation great. Grant, we pray, joy and fulfillment, to those Veterans and their families still living. And for those who are at rest, grant Your infinite peace.
For all our efforts to say "thanks", and all our commitment to help our veterans recover their lives once they return , in the end we cannot do nearly enough. No governmental service, can repay all that they have lost. No holiday in their honor, can make up for the years lost, the innocence lost, the loves, limbs and lives lost. We cannot do enough. "Thank you" is too easy and too slight a return.
But we can pray for our veterans. We can ask God to make up the balance, to cover the debts we as a society can never make up. We can pray and ask for blessings beyond our human treasure.
God, we thank you for commissioning men and women in the defense of freedom. We honor those who protect us, in many cases laying down their lives, that we might live free to pursue our own destiny. Every soldier takes an oath knowing they may be called upon to pay the ultimate sacrifice. Lord, we cannot repay this gift they give us. For those who have suffered, as a result of their sacrifice, we ask for divine healing, favor, and peace. Lift from them the cares and burdens of violence. When they return home, give them opportunities to fulfill their own potentials and dreams. Open doors for them, even when some doors are closed. Dear God, please bless our veterans.
Eternal God, you alone rule the destinies of nations. You have deemed that all humans should live together in peace. Peace is the channel, though with all of your benevolence flows to us. Without peace, we cannot enjoy life to its fullest. Help us honor our veterans by working toward a time when nations will not lift up sword against nation, and neither will humans wage war any more. Help us learn to love peace, and pursue peace, with even greater resolve and resources, that we use to pursue war.
Oh Maker of Peace in the heavens, make peace for the United States of America, and the entire world, and let us say Amen.
Blessed are you Lord our God, king of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth. And let us say Amen. May God bless and keep all of us, and may God continue to bless and keep America. Thank you.
REBBETZIN ELLEN SEGAL
Jewish Spiritual Renewal
Jewish Renewal
Jewish Spirituality
Hilton Head Island, SC; Bluffton, SC; Savannah, GA
www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.com/books www.FaceBook.com/Arthur.L.Segal www.FaceBook.com/RabbiArthurSegalJewishSpiritualRenewal www.RabbiArthurSegal.blogspot.com
Jewish Spiritual Renewal
Jewish Renewal
Jewish Spirituality
Hilton Head Island, SC; Bluffton, SC; Savannah, GA
Jewish Spiritual Renewal
Jewish Renewal
Jewish Spirituality
Hilton Head Island, SC; Bluffton, SC; Savannah, GA
