Departure Ceremony

Today was the departure ceremony for our unit. We aren't leaving today, but it was the most convenient time prior to leaving to conduct it. As the chaplain, I get the blessing of praying over the unit and families/friends - and I pray that it is received as such, though some complain that there is prayer in a ceremony where not all are religious. For now, tradition helps maintain this privilege for chaplains and it is my prayer that it does not go away, for to lose it would be a monumental loss. While we don't presume that God is on America's side no matter what war we attend, we do presume here, in the fight against terrorism, that we can serve His purposes in forestalling the encroachment of evil. Here is the prayer I offered today:

Gracious Heavenly Father,
We gather today to case our colors, a ceremony in which we turn in the bright hues of peacetime in order to don the subdued, tactical tones of war. This is not a war we have chosen, but rather one that has been foisted upon us. We, the 741st EOD Battalion, go to Afghanistan with a unique mission. It is not a mission of violent action, but one purposed to negate the effectiveness of the weapons arrayed to do violence against us. It is a mission that will save the lives that our enemy seeks to destroy. Therefore we ask you to lend your ear in this ceremony - hear the desire of our hearts, O Lord. Help us to be diligent and effective in our duties, to preserve and protect life and to make possible the spread of peace and freedom in a land long torn by war. Be with our families and friends in our absence and care for and protect them. Guard their hearts and minds with your peace as they await our safe return. When our task is complete bring us home unharmed, each one of us and all of those over whom we will have charge. Make us equal to the task that lies before us and let us return here having honored these colors, our families, the State of Washington and the United States of America. We heretofore surrender to you our lives, our wills and our futures, trusting fully in your caring hand and your divine providence. We humbly ask these things in your Name, the Name that is mighty to save, Amen.

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