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Memorial Day Proclaimed As Day of Prayer For Veterans and Peace

By Howard M. Friedman

Today is Memorial Day. 36 USC 116 also calls on the President to issue an annual proclamation:

(1) calling on the people of the United States to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace;
(2) designating a period of time on Memorial Day during which the people may unite in prayer for a permanent peace;
(3) calling on the people of the United States to unite in prayer at that time; and
(4) calling on the media to join in observing Memorial Day and the period of prayer.

On Friday, President Obama issued a Proclamation, "Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2009" (full text), providing in part:

As we remember the selfless service of our fallen heroes, we pray for God's grace upon them. We also pray for all of our military personnel and veterans, their families, and all those who have lost loved ones in the defense of our freedom and safety....

I ... do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 25, 2009, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 25, 2009 (boomark / email).