Invocation 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=51870
open_content_license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International copyleft license Date: 2023-06-25
Last Updated: 2024-06-01
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 invocation 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 we break bread, give thanks for food
We recall all those who hunger still:
Not for bread alone,
But for freedom, dignity, respect, and hope.
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Carl Levin championed the fight for better times and better lives,
Lives more respected, lives more protected.
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We celebrate his life,
the strength, integrity, and moral courage that defined him,
as we prepare for the commissioning tomorrow
of the USS CARL M LEVIN,
our Navy’s — nation’s — newest ship,
whose officers and crew prepare to serve with honor, courage, and commitment
to defend our freedoms and our dreams.
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TENACIOUS IN THE FIGHT:
Apt words both for Levin and the proud and mighty ship that bears his name,
Prepared to serve when duty calls.
Prepared to fight — and win — when fight we must.
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We celebrate tonight with joy
And the commissioning tomorrow with overwhelming pride.
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May the actions of this ship and crew
Bring honor to our Navy and our nation,
Just as the man whose name it bears
Brought honor to us, blessed us all.
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And may we say Amen.
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This invocation 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