WEBVTT

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- Greetings and welcome.

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As we gather in remembrance
of those who have served

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this great nation,

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and as we pause for this year

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in remembrance of Memorial Day.

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The tradition of Memorial Day started

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with the Decoration Day.

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Following the Civil War,

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families of those who had died in battle

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would visit the grave sites
to be able to remember them.

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The tradition of gathering
on the last Monday in May

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became a healing moment

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for the nation following the Civil War

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and offered comfort to
families of those who had died,

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of loved ones in the war.

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The tradition was expanded
following the Great War

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commonly known as World
War I to remember all

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who had served in the
military and died in battle

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or due to combat related injuries.

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In 1915, John McCrae wrote
the poem "In Flanders Field",

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which add the new
tradition of poppy flowers,

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as the red flowers grew in between

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the headstones of the
cemeteries common in Europe.

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The poppy seeds became a symbolic reminder

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of the sacrifice and blood
that was shed in the Great War.

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In 1971 by an official act of Congress,

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Memorial day was established

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as a national day of observance.

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The tradition of remembering the dead

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on the last day of May
continues to adapt in every age

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as we express our gratitude as a nation,

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for those who have served
in the armed forces

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and made the ultimate sacrifice

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on behalf of this great nation.

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We must never forget that the freedoms

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and liberties we hold dearly

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were paid for in the sacrifices.

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Regardless of how Memorial
Day is observed this year

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in the midst of this pandemic,

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our gratitude for the service

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of those who have answered the call

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to the service of this
nation must be recognized.

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I invite you to join with me in prayer.

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Our God, in whom ages past,

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we gather in remembrance of those

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who long no longer walk the earth,

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but are entrusted to your eternal care.

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For the families and friends

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of our departed brothers and sisters,

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I ask for your healing presence

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and constant comfort.

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For the family and friends

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of those who are missing in action,

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I pray for closure that
may be found for them

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as they grieve their loss.

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For all our gold star
families, bless them this day

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as we gather as a nation in
remembrance of their loved ones.

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I pray, Amen.

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John McCrae wrote these poem
words "In Flanders Fields."

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In Flanders fields, the poppies blow

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between the crosses, row on row,

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that marker place and in the sky,

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the larks still bravely singing fly,

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scarce heard amid the guns below.

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We are the dead, short days ago

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we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

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loved and were loved and now we lie

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in Flanders fields.

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Take up our quarrel with the foe

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to you from failing hands we throw

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the torch be yours to hold it high.

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If ye break faith with us who die.

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We shall not sleep, though
poppies grow in Flanders fields.

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I ask that you join with
me in a moment of silence

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as we remember and recognize

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our fallen brothers and sisters.

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(trumpet plays "Taps")

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Receive now this benediction.

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May we as a nation be ever
mindful of the service

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and sacrifices of those who
answered the call to support

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and defend this great nations.

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Blessings be with you
this Memorial Day. Amen.