Posted on November 11, 2024 by Rabbi David Katz
Tonight at 7:30 p.m. we will be holding an open discussion on last week’s election and today is Veterans Day. So America has been on my mind.
My father served in WWII on an LST (Landing Ship Tank) on the English Channel. He was proud of his service to the country and the words: ‘U.S. Navy’ are engraved on his tombstone. So today I think of him, along with all others who fought to defend our country. My colleague, Rabbi Larry Milder has written a prayer to remember those who served in the Armed Forces. That we live in a free country and are able to hold free elections is due to the hard fought sacrifices of those who now serve and the soldiers who came before them.
Here is Rabbi Milder’s prayer:
Compassionate God, Source of Mercy, we pay tribute to those who have served our country, and express our gratitude for their courage and selflessness, both those among us today and those of generations past. This nation, built by those born of this soil and those who have come here from all the corners of the earth, is on a continual journey toward its destiny.
May we never let down those who have served in defense of this country.
May we uphold the values of freedom, of the inherent dignity of every human being, by our own right conduct, by the kindness and tolerance we show to one another.
May we lead the world by example, and become, in the words of Isaiah, ‘a light to the nations.’ Then will the labors and sacrifices of these veterans be honored not in words alone, but by our deeds.
To all those who have defended our right to be free, we express our gratitude today.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Katz
