Rememberance and Blessing for Veterans: November 10 & 11, 2012

Add the following to each celebration of the Eucharist on Veterans Day weekend

Extra collect, at the usual time, following the Gloria.

Loving God, as we gather here today our hearts are full of memories of friends, comrades, and family members who served under arms in the wars of our country. We come to remember those who fell in battle and those who, while they did not die, offered their bodies, hearts, and energies fighting for an end to tyranny and oppression.  We ask Lord that you would grace us with your presence, that you would help us in our pain, and that you would hear our prayers and have regard for our thoughts this day. Bless us – and bless all those who gave the best of themselves for our country – we ask this through Christ our Lord. 
AMEN.

After the Homily, Prayers and Confession, ask all veterans present to stand in the center isles.  

Prayer over the Veterans

Heavenly Father, we ask you to smile upon all the men and women who served in our armed forces during times of war.  Bring healing for those who have been wounded, in body and soul, in conflicts around the globe. We remember especially the young men and women who are coming home from our present wars with injured bodies and spirits.  Dear God, Bring solace to them all. 

Have mercy on all our veterans from every war, bring peace to their hearts and peace to the regions they fought in. Give us all the grace to reach for a world in which all warring has ceased and your Kingdom is complete.  

Bless these veterans in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!   
Amen!
Follow with the usual sharing of  Peace.