Litany of Prayer for Vietnam Veterans Sunday

Vietnam Veterans’ Recognition Act of 2017 designated March 29th as the day to commemorate the service and death 58,000 Americans, nearly 500,000 Americans and 850,000 allies that served during the war in South Vietnam (November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975). The men and women who served did not get any thanks when they returned home; most were treated with ridicule and insults. Their service has passed in our churches with little or no mention. Historically and traditionally, Veterans’ Day has been more a civic than a sacred observance. As with New Years Day, Mother’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and others, Veterans’ Day is not a part of the liturgical calendar — although sometimes our churches have observed these days in some manner. The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego has designated Sunday March 28th as a day to recognize the service and death of our veterans and their families. The honor and thanks for veterans should be in a context of prayer. This is not the time for a rehearsal of our national concerns, but when we assemble for worship, it is as citizens of God’s kingdom in Jesus Christ, not as citizens ultimately subject to any nation. In worship, we celebrate the good news of God’s grace and love manifest in Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Lord and Savior of the world, in whom all the creation is redeemed and is to be restored for the glory of God.

Here is a suggested litany for inclusion in your Sunday worship services.

Fr. Munoz will deliver to you certificates of commemoration, lapel pins and buttons for distribution at your services. Please contact him at fmunoz@edsd.org or at 858-395-0203

Leader: Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all of its liberties. For all the wonder of our country’s story.

Leader: For leaders in our nation and state, and for all who in days past served in South Vietnam.

People: We give you thanks, O God.

Leader: For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world’s common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellow human beings:

People: We give you thanks, O God.

Leader: For those who served during the Vietnam War era their country in its hour of need, and especially for those 58,000 whose names are memorialized on the granite wall in our Nations capital who gave their lives in that service.

People: We give you thanks, O God.

Concluding collect

Leader O God, give to us your people, grateful hearts and a united will to honor the men and women who have served their country. We give you thanks for those who gave their lives in this service; may their memory be ever in our hearts. May we hold each of our current military members and their family always in our love and our prayers; until your world is perfected in peace through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Adapted from The Book of Worship for United States Forces (1974)

Presentation of Certificates of Commemoration