Memorial Day Prayer

A Memorial Day Prayer

They served and fought and died
so that we might be
safe and free,
Grant them, O Lord,
Eternal peace
and give them "The Victory"!
And in these days of unrest,
filled with grave uncertainty,
Let's not forget
The price they paid
to keep our country free . . .
And so, on this Memorial Day,
we offer up a prayer --
May the people of all nations
be united in Thy care,
And grant us understanding
and teach us how to live
So we may lose
our selfish pride
and learn to love and give,
And keep us ever mindful
of the fighting men who sleep
In Arlington and foreign lands
so we may ever keep
The "light of freedom" burning
in their honor through the years
And hear their cry
for peace on earth
resounding in our ears --
Forgive us our transgressions
and "Oh, God, be with us yet"
Lest in our pride
and arrogance
we heedlessly forget.

Helen Steiner Rice