Benediction at the Dinner Celebrating the Commissioning of the USS Carl M. Levin, by Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff (23 June 2023)
Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=51874
open_content_license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International copyleft license Date: 2023-06-25
Last Updated: 2025-02-05
Categories: Military Personnel & Veterans
Tags: 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., dedications and consecrations, English vernacular prayer, United States Navy, USS Carl M. Levin
Excerpt: This benediction was offered by Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff at a dinner celebrating the commissioning of the USS Carl M. Levin on Friday night, 23 June 2023. . . .
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Almighty God,
As I look around this room,
Inspired by words that reflect
Our freedoms, values, dreams…
The words that strike me now come from a Broadway song:
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“Our hearts are warm, our bellies are full,
And we are feeling prime.
This was a real nice clambake,
And we all had a real good time.”
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Carl Levin would approve these words, I think,
Because even as he pushed himself to his limits,
Worked tirelessly for better times,
The twinkle in his eye and the smile on his face
Were reminders that he rejoiced in life’s happy moments.
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We give thanks that we have been granted life
And brought to this occasion, this extraordinarily happy moment.
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As our bellies are full now,
May our hearts swell with pride tomorrow,
As we commission the USS CARL M. LEVIN
With a ceremony that will honor the men and women who worked to create her,
And the officers and crew that will command and guide her.
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May it be a ceremony that
Reflects the proudest traditions of our Navy,
And a moment that brings to life
The poet’s words:
“Fare thee well. The ship is ready.”
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And may we say Amen.
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This benediction was offered by Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff at a dinner celebrating the commissioning of the USS Carl M. Levin on Friday night, 23 June 2023.
Contributor: Arnold E. Resnicoff
Co-authors:
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Name: Arnold E. Resnicoff
Bio: Arnold E. Resnicoff (born 1946) is a Conservative rabbi who began his career serving as a military officer and then as a military chaplain. He served in Vietnam and Europe before attending rabbinical school after which he was a U.S. Navy Chaplain for almost 25 years. After the Vietnam War, he promoted the creation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and delivered the closing prayer at its 1982 dedication. Rabbi Resnicoff was present at the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the following year, President Ronald Reagan shared Rabbi Resnicoff's eyewitness account. After retiring from the military he became the National Director of Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish Committee and served as Special Assistant (for Values and Vision) to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, serving at the equivalent military rank of Brigadier General. Resnicoff holds several degrees, including an honorary doctorate. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Department of the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, and the Chapel of Four Chaplains Hall of Heroes Gold Medallion.
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Resnicoff
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/arnold-resnicoff
Featured Image:
Title: DDG-120-USS-Carl-M-Levin-023
Caption: DDG 120 - USS Carl M. Levin