Christian Alliance of America Praises Progress on WWII Memorial Prayer Act
The Christian Alliance of America lauded Congressional members of the House Committee on Natural Resources for recently supporting a bill that would ensure the inclusion of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s D-Day landing prayer at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“We are grateful to have the Committee move this important legislation forward,” Chris Long, Ohio Christian Alliance president, shared in a statement. “There is bipartisan support for our effort and we hope that with this momentum, there will be a vote on the House floor in the future.”
By unanimous consent, the Committee ordered the bill-H.R. 2070, known as the World War II Memorial Prayer Act of 2011, to be reported to the full House on Thursday to the displeasure of the Obama administration, which has criticized and opposed the bill.
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Opponents believed that: American veterans came from many different religious traditions or no spiritual path at all; that the added plaque or inscription would be costly and unjustifiable; and that Congress should not belittle the monument by using it as another ploy in the culture wars among other reasons.
Republican lawmakers and conservative activists, however, strongly supported the addition of the prayer, stating that it demonstrated American’s history and heritage, which was once rooted in Christianity.
“This prayer represents an important piece of American history,” Long testified before the Committee. “Historians indicate that President Roosevelt hand wrote the prayer which was an inspiration to a nation engaged in a great world of war of which the outcome was still very much uncertain. The prayer gave hope to millions of Americans.”
“President Roosevelt’s prayer articulated the great crusade that was underway to liberate millions suffering under tyranny. He honored the war effort and paid respect to the fallen and those veterans who fought courageously in the conflict. It is only fitting that succeeding generations learn of this prayer that was offered at the most poignant moment in our nation’s history.”
“We are encouraged by the support that this legislation is receiving. Veterans and veteran groups across the nation are in support of adding FDR’s D-Day Landing Prayer to the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.”
The prayer in question, which Roosevelt read to the nation on June 6, 1944, the morning of D-Day, states: “Almighty God, our sons, pride of our nation this day have set upon the mighty endeavor, have struggled to preserve our republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.”
“President Roosevelt’s prayer gave solace, comfort, and strength to our nation and our brave warriors as we fought against tyranny and oppression,” Congressman Bill Johnson, the sponsor of the bill, also said. “These words should be included among the tributes to the Greatest Generation memorialized on the National mall.”
WWII Navy Veteran George Fowler, who served on the U.S.S Essex as a Navy aviator, added, “Those reading this prayer would be able to recall sacrifices made by our military and also those on the home front. This prayer came at a perilous time and it was answered by victory at a dear cost of life.”
Johnson anticipates that his legislation will be supported by the full House.
