Page 32 - AL POST 390 OFFICER'S GUIDE AND MANUAL OF CEREMONIES - 2020

Veterans Day

The post files in and is seated in reserved space or seats. The commander, chaplain and other officers or
members with speaking parts take their places on the platform. The active parts are given by four officers or
other members designated by the commander.

Commander: ''The chaplain will offer prayer."
The following prayer is optional. In its place the chaplain may deliver a personal one of the same length and
tenor. If any member shall object to prayer on conscientious grounds, observe 30 seconds of silence in memory
of the dead, provided the same is so ordered by a majority of members present.

Chaplain: "0 God of Hosts, we bow our heads in thankfulness for the victories Thou hast granted us -to us
and to those peoples who have united with us to stamp out the evils of aggression, intolerance and greed.
"We beseech Thee to bring the blessings of understanding to the families and friends, in this and other
lands, of those who have given their lives that men may be free. Grant, 0 God, that those closest to the
fallen may mingle the pain of their losses w'ith the ennobling light of sacrifice for civilization -sacrifice for a
better world for this and other generations yet unborn.
'`Grant us too, 0 God, the courage to so live with the family of nations around the world that the end of
strife will be the beginning of enduring peace. Grant us patience in planning with our fellow men and
women a world in which nations may resolve their differences by peaceful means.
"Touch Thou the souls of people in every land with the enduring light of wisdom so they may form a
brotherhood which will strive to further the arts of peace under laws and ethics blessed byThy love.
"Grant us now Thy continued blessing upon unity and strength that makes victories possible in war, that we
may win greater victories of peace. Amen."

Music or singing would be cippropriate at this time.

Commander: "On this day, Veterans Day, we are commemorating the service of veterans of all wars.
"We remember how men and women set aside their civilian pursuits to serve their nation's cause,
defending the freedom of mankind and preserving our precious American heritage.
"We believe our strength on the field of battle, on the supply lines which nourished our armed might, lay
in the justice of our cause against the forces of evil. We believe our determination made us better warriors
because we fought with our minds and our hearts as well as our bodies.
"We recognize service to our country and her cause does not end with the termination of military service.
We continue our endeavors in behalf of an honorable world peace with a feeling of profound gratitude to
God, and to the men and women who gave their lives as their part of the cost of this noblest of causes.
"Out of blood and sweat we learned of purpose, sacrifice, tolerance, bravery and discipline. These are solid
foundation stones upon which a great nation is built. In our continuing quest for an honorable world peace
we must cultivate these virtues."
Auxiliary president or representative: "The waging of war involves more than just the combatants who
fight to the death on the field of battle. The fighting forces begin at the fireside and in the hometowns.
The repercussions of war's terrible brutality have chilled the heart and dimmed the hopes and dreams of
many a loved one left behind on the home front. While the horrors of the battlefield may not have been our
experience, we have lived with the terrifying loneliness created to answer an aggressor's challenge.
"ln waging war, we have moved forward with a unity of purpose which made us strong, forgetting
pettiness, egotism and pride. Our hearts beat in tune with those in other nations fighting for freedom and

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