Special Events
2007 Veternas Day Parade
On Saturday, November 10, 2007 there was a Veterans Day Parade in downtown Dallas. Ceremonies included the traditional "Eleventh Hour Ceremony" signifying the end of World War I, a symbolic wreath laying ceremony, Echo Taps, and a Missing Man Formation flyover. The Massing of the Colors followed by area High School JROTC cadets. The parade honored the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The invocation was be given by our senior pastor, Dennis, who is a retired Chaplain, Lt. Col., from the USAF Reserve.
Almighty and most gracious God, we are grateful to be here on this special occasion to remember and honor our nation’s veterans. We gather at this time and in this place mindful that we are in the shadows of countless men and women, active duty, guard and reserve: who have counted service above self; who have given themselves sacrificially; who have served repeatedly in harm’s way; who have worked tirelessly in support roles.
We remember and honor those who have served: in “world” wars; in “conflicts”, never properly termed “wars” but just as brutal nonetheless; in “guerilla” wars; in “storm-like” wars, as powerful and rapid-moving as any Texas squall line; in “terrorist” wars that have no front lines nor accepted rules of engagement.
Still, we would be remiss, O God, if we failed to remember the families of all these veterans: the families who have born the heavy cost of war while, in times past as well as today, so many in society have been oblivious to their worry, fear, heartache, suffering and loss. We pray for veterans and their families who have been casualties of war through: the deaths of loved ones; the radical loss in capabilities due to traumatic injury; the disintegration of families through divorce; the anxiety of financial distress and the hard times of financial disaster.
But for these moments today, O Lord, at this time and in this place, watching as our colors wave freely and brightly, may we be truly mindful and grateful of all that we have noted and may our gratitude lead to celebration and may our celebration bring peace to those we remember and honor today.
We pray in your holy name, Amen.
Benediction
Gracious God, we’re grateful for ceremony, tradition, pomp and circumstance such as we have just observed. It’s fitting as we remember men and women who’ve died and honor men and women who are living.
We’re also pleased to mark the occasion with festival, also very appropriate, as we anticipate the grand parade full of movement, color and sound.
May we take great care, however, to remind ourselves that remembering and honoring are not just exercises for one special day. So we humbly and earnestly ask, O God, that you would sear it in our minds and shape it in our hearts, so that after we leave this time and place, day by day, we might recall our gratitude and demonstrate it through word and deed at every opportunity.
So now, gracious God, we commit the ceremony just completed to those who have served and sacrificed in the past. And we offer the festival about to begin to those serving and sacrificing today. Amen
Veterans Memorial Flag Dedication Ceremony
A dedication ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial Flag was held on Veterans Day, November 11, 2007. This memorial was made possible by the Boy Scout Eagle project of Matthew Macy and generous donations from the congregation. The inspiration for this project was WWII veteran Henry DeMatteo.