AMERICA
IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Rabbi Reuven Mann
Congregation Rinat Yisrael
of Plainview, New York
HICKSVILLE VETERAN’S
MEMORIAL PARK, NEW YORK
MAY 30, 2005
Almighty G-d, Creator of the Universe, we have gathered here today, men and women from diverse backgrounds and persuasions, to remember and pay tribute to all the brave souls who fought and died for our liberty.
Remembering the vital lessons of the past is crucial to our survival in the present and that of our children in the future.
The great Jewish sage, Moses Maimonides writes, “In times of prosperity we must remember the harsh and difficult days of our past. We will thereby be induced to thank G-d repeatedly and lead a modest and humble life.”
We live today in freedom and prosperity but it was not always this way. It is incumbent on us to remember all the difficulties that had to be overcome, all the sacrifices that had to be made to get to this point. We must never forget that we are a unique nation, which has been graced by the blessings of the Creator who has sheltered and protected us and empowered us to defeat all enemies who have risen against us. With humbleness and gratitude let us say, “Blessed art thou Lord our G-d King of the Universe who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this day,”
I call on all Americans to recognize the great opportunity we have been given by reaffirming our belief in the Creator of the Universe and commitment to honor the dignity of all people who were created in His Image.
Let us celebrate the noble deeds of this nation’s finest sons and daughters who answered the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. They believed America is something special, worth fighting and dying for. We shall never forget them and always be inspired by their memory to become better people; more loving, wise, compassionate, loyal and patriotic.
Ladies and Gentlemen, our troops today are on distant shores fighting a brutal war against a cruel foe who seeks to destroy civilization as we know it.
Please join me in prayer: Almighty G-d, may Your Guidance and Protection be with our men and women, who are right now in harms way, to give them the strength, courage and fortitude to complete the mission in which they have performed so magnificently. May they speedily return in good health to their country, their homes, their loved ones, and let us say: Amen.