Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of the United States of America particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Established as May 30th in the years following the Civil War, it is celebrated on the last Monday of May
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God our Father, Giver of life,
we entrust these
United States of America
to Your loving care.
You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life
and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.
Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
(author unknown, found on a Catholic prayer site)