Benediction at the Commissioning Ceremony of the USS Carl M. Levin, by Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff (24 June 2023)
Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=51879
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 the commissioning ceremony for the USS Carl M. Levin on Saturday morning, 24 June 2023. . . .
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Lord God who made the heavens and the earth,
The seas and all that dwell therein.
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We give thanks for the world and its beauty,
but those who go down to the sea in ships
Know the grandeur and power of creation in a special way.
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One poet wrote that “Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made,
For…in their…hearts the soul of a song is laid.”
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The Prophets knew this song of ships and seas
When they proclaimed
“Sing God’s praise anew, from around the world, all who sail the sea.” (Isaiah 42:10 part)
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As we conclude, we commend again
the men and women who created this mighty ship,
We pray for the safety and success
of the crew that will sail it upon the waters
to distant shores.
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May Carl Levin’s legacy of integrity and moral courage
inspire us to make our world a better place.
May the faith and courage of this crew
Help them overcome all challenges and adversity
With hope and perseverance, tenacious in the fight.
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May those who go down to the sea in this ship,
The USS CARL M LEVIN, inspire songs of praise
From all the lives they touch,
as a symbol of strength and beacon of hope
For all who dream of, pray for, better times.
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And may we say Amen.
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This benediction was offered by Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Carl M. Levin on Saturday morning, 24 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