Portman Introduces Bill to Commemorate FDR's D-Day Prayer with the Nation at the WWII Memorial “On D-Day,courageous Americans risked and sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedoms - end tyranny abroad,”said Portman.“That morning,President Roosevelt asked our nation to come together to pray
BigNews.Biz - May 11,2012 - Portman Introduces Bill to Commemorate FDR's D-Day Prayer with the Nation at the WWII Memorial
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced legislation that would direct the Interior Secretary to install a plaque or inscription at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. with the words that President Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed with the nation on June 6, 1944, the morning of D-Day.
“On D-Day, courageous Americans risked and sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedoms and end tyranny abroad,” said Portman. “That morning, President Roosevelt asked our nation to come together to pray for the men overseas. His words brought strength and comfort to many during one of the most challenging times for our nation and will forever be etched in our history.
“This bill ensures that FDR’s prayer will become a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of those who fought in World War II, and of the power of prayer through difficult times,” he added. “I encourage the Senate to take it up and pass it quickly.”
Portman’s bill, the World War II Memorial Prayer Act of 2012, would require placement of the prayer to be subject to a commemorative works approval and review process. A companion bill, led by Ohio Congressman Bill Johnson, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year.
President Roosevelt’s prayer was read to the nation by radio address during the evening of D-Day, June 6, 1944, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region.
The following is the text:
My Fellow Americans:
Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.
And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.
They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest.
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