|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Memorial Day 2004—Arlington South
The observance of Memorial Day began after the Civil War when communities, North and South, set aside one day to adorn the graves of war dead with flowers. In 1868, the first official remembrance with flowers, prayers, and hymns was held at Arlington National Cemetery. With the passage of time and more war dead, what had started as a day of reflection on the human cost of war, became a federal holiday for remembering the dead. Remembering Lives Lost in Iraq This year Memorial Day takes on an especially painful meaning as the violence and bloodshed in Iraq continues, claiming the lives of increasing numbers of U.S. soldiers and Iraqi citizens. In the last year, 815 U.S. military personnel and over 10,000 Iraqi civilians have died in the war and its aftermath. Our nation has been diminished by the loss of all these precious lives. Deeply concerned by the mounting death toll, we gather in Naples this Memorial Day to respectfully remember and mourn those we have lost. At sunrise we formed a field of white crosses in the sand, each cross bearing the name and age of a fallen soldier. We will shortly begin a solemn reading of the names of the 815 American soldiers killed in Iraq. We’ll conclude the roll-call of U.S. dead with a short prayer. The aim of our Arlington South is to commemorate the Iraqi war dead as well as make visible the human cost of this war. Our hope is that everyone—whether they approve of this war or not—will join us in remembering these men and women who have been killed in our names. Call to Prayer (Leader): Tonight as we gather to mark Memorial Day, we mourn for our 815 dead U.S. soldiers and for the 10,000 Iraqi dead, especially the children, who have paid the most severe cost of war. All: O God, who makes peace and harmony in the heavenly spheres, help us to understand the futility of war, hatred and violence. Help us to hear Your voice that counsels compassion, patience, honest dialogue, solidarity among nations and peace on earth. We ask You to bless in particular these we name tonight and all the unnamed victims of the Iraqi war. Bless them with your peace and grant them eternal life with all Your saints. We ask this in the name of the God of Peace. Amen. Roll-call (Leader): Let us now remember our 800 soldiers killed in Iraq…
Sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out,
Pax Christi Naples, Social Action Committee of Ft. Myers, Environmental Peace and Education Center |