the pains and agonies of the battlefield. Pray that our statesmen may
find a common understanding with the statesmen of all other nations,
so that all nations may live together in the spirit of the brotherhood
of mankind.

The real meaning of occasions such as this is that it affords us the
opportunity to reach across space and time and touch the hands in
spirit of those who have traveled onward, and from this communion
with the brave dead, draw renewed faith to go forward, as once they
did, toward the building of a better world. There is a prayer which
I read some years ago in a veterans' magazine. It was called "Armistice
Day Prayer, " for this holiday, as you know, was known as Armistice
Day instead of Veterans Day until it was changed by law in 1954.
Here is the prayer:

"Our father who art in heaven — We thank you for this Armistice
Day which we observe at peace, and beseech you to give to all men's
hearts, hands and minds the capacity to work for continued peace.
Let us not through greed and false values permit the destruction of
all the beauty which has been wrought since you first created our
world. Help us to turn swords into ploughshares that all may have
enough to eat. Help us to turn atomic energy into life-saving use
that will lengthen man's span rather than blow him to dust. Let us
hold in affection and respect all those who are made in your image
around the world — what ever their race, color or creed. Then we will
not sadden you with more warring; then this armistice date will truly
signify peace at last — to last. Amen. "

Let us who gathered here to acknowledge the services and the
sacrifices of those who have fought in our wars solemnly repeat this
invocation to the Almighty. Let us plead for the strength and the
capacity to continue our work for peace, to the end that His mighty
handiwork, the earth and its inhabitants, may not suffer destruction.
Let us pray that the awesome implements of war may be turned into
implements of peace. Let us foster the brotherhood of all human be-
ings, so that this Veterans Day, and all the Veterans Days to come,
may signify a lasting peace. And finally, let us dedicate ourselves
to that true patriotism which is loving one's country, respecting its
traditions and honoring its people, high or low, rich or poor.

May we, as true patriots, stand firm and unselfish for the rights,
for the common good, for the peace and well-being of all, sacrificing
self, if need be, and unafraid of all opposition. On this Veterans Day,
1963, let us express our gratitude to Almighty God for this nation and
for the principles of freedom and justice on which it was founded.

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