Good afternoon, I’m Rabbi Philip Weintraub from Congregation Agudas Israel just up North Street. Per the “The National Moment of Remembrance Act, of 2000, let us first pause for a moment of remembrance of the fallen, of those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice. (MOMENT OF SILENCE)
We stand here today to remember. We remember fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, spouses and friends. We remember those who gave their lives in service of our nation. We remember those who believed in our Constitution, our Declaration of Independence and our freedom. They fought and died here and abroad, protecting us, our compatriots and our allies. They fought so that we might live in peace. They fought so that their children would not need to. While our history has not always allowed for that, we hope that it will become true soon
Let us pray:
Avinu Shebashamayim, Our parent in Heaven, may you watch over all those who have fallen, who served and protected the United States of America. May they be gathered in the shadow of your wings, among the presence of all who do right and do good. May their holy work inspire all of us to do right and do good here in Newburgh. Let us work together to continue to brighten this jewel of the Hudson. Let our light shine to create peace and justice here. Let that light grow beyond our fair city to our state, our nation, and our world. May every citizen of this country know that she has our support, our love, our trust, to continue to grow this nation into a model for all other nations. Let it be a place where brothers and sisters work together towards the common good.
May we see the day when a great peace shall fill the world, when nation shall not threaten nation, when humankind will not again know war, when all who live on earth shall realize we have not come into being to hate or to destroy, but to praise to labor and to love. May our citizens of all races and creeds forge a bond of true harmony, to banish hatred and bigotry, to safeguard the ideals and free institutions which have been the pride and glory of this GREAT country.
As we remember those who have fallen, may their service be a beacon of hope to all of us. May we pray for a day when such sacrifice will never again be needed, when a complete peace will be embraced by every person on this planet.
Let us say Amen.
