US Memorial Day: Taps

As the sun has set for the evening, we turn our attention to those who have died in service to our country. Thanks to facebook friend Wayne for this quote.

It is the soldier,
not the reporter,
who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the soldier,
not the poet,
who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier,
not the campus organizer,
who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

~~~~~

From facebook friend Wayne...

US Memorial Day: The Coast Guard Hymn

The Coast Guard closes each chapel service at the academy with the following verse...

Eternal Father, Lord of hosts,
Watch o’er all those who guard our coasts.
Protect them from the raging seas
And give them light and life and peace.
Grant them from Thy great throne above
The shield and shelter of Thy love.

It is the same tune as Eternal Father, Strong to Save (the Navy Hymn), and can be added in to that hymn or substituted for stanza 1 (as long as you are not going to offend any Navymen!).

On a personal note, Carolyn, this is for you!

US Memorial Day: The Marine Hymn

The Marine Hymn is decidedly NOT for Divine Service consumption. This hymn is all about the Marines and not about the Lord protecting our nation.

First, the words, then a few interesting video clips.

~~~~~

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

~~~~~

Marine Graduates sing their hymn



~~~~~

Anchors' Aweigh, The Marine Hymn and Dismissal
from a Marine graduation ceremony



~~~~~

First Division Marine Band on parade



~~~~~

Kate Smith
as heard through a Grammaphone
on an EP album

US Memorial Day: The Air Force Hymn

The Navy Hymn and The Army Hymn may be used in the Divine Service. We see in the Air Force Hymn is more specific to their duties. Perhaps if you were honoring pilots during a Sunday Service, this would be appropriate.

~~~~~

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces of the sky;
Be with them traversing the air
In darkening storms or sunshine fair

Thou who dost keep with tender might
The balanced birds in all their flight
Thou of the tempered winds be near
That, having thee, they know no fear

Control their minds with instinct fit
What time, adventuring, they quit
The firm security of land;
Grant steadfast eye and skilful hand

Aloft in solitudes of space,
Uphold them with Thy saving grace.
O God, protect the men who fly
Thru lonely ways beneath the sky.

US Memorial Day: The Army Hymn

The Army Hymn is "God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand."  Hymnals are often used around the world (in the mission field, by military chaplains, etc), so a national anthem is not appropriate for many hymnals.  A hymn like God of Our Fathers can be sung in many nations as it does not reference any specific country.

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

US Memorial Day: The Navy Hymn

There are several versions of Eternal Father, Strong to Save.  As this is the Navy Hymn, here is the version the US Navy has adopted. Each of the first three verses reference Father, Son and Holy Spirit respectively, making this hymn an bridge between Trinity Sunday and Memorial Day when both fall on the same weekend.

In Lutheran Service Book, there is an option with a verse for those on land, sea, and air, which may be appropriate for times of travel as well as the observance of national holidays.

Here is the Naval Academy Mens Glee Club singing The Navy Hymn. For those of you who are fans of the "Amen" at the end of each hymn in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), you will not be disappointed!

US Memorial Day: The Armed Forces Medley

The Armed Forces Medley