God of peace

We thank our nation’s veterans

For their contributions to the great goal of peace

For the challenging job we ask them to do on our country’s behalf

For the difficult moral space we ask them to enter

For the hardships they endure while they serve

And the pain some carry ever after

We thank our veterans

For what we asked them to give

            And what they freely gave

And for what was taken from them.

Today, we offer them

Respect and sympathy

Memory and gratitude

Honor and healing.

And for all of us, we ask, O God of peace, forgiveness

That we are yet unable to make and keep the peace we seek

That our world is again drawn into war and violence

That division still rules our world and our hearts

May the lives of the men and women we honor today

Be counted as steps toward the permanent peace

We pray we may celebrate one day.

Amen.