From the deck of the battleship of USS Missouri, looking toward the USS Arizona Memorial, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, the guns now silent, along with those voices taken that day and the days and years that followed. Peace.

As a former military blogger, I spent many hours speaking with so many souls from this time in our nations history. Countless interviews and many more hours of watching films, reading and looking into different aspects of Military History in a way that glorified it all. Don’t get me wrong, I do understand what was at stake and we are a blessed nation and a different world for the sacrifice of so many.

As I sat last night watching a documentary on D Day with my husband, himself a 23.5 year USMC veteran, I found myself unable to watch anymore. It hurt in ways I had not experienced before. To see the souls of so many lost, so many unknown story’s of who they were, who gave all. The once self glorified battle I used to watch, once upon a time, was gone and replaced with a very deep sorrow and pain to see all these men being killed. Killed in unmentionable ways. I came to realize the work our Lord had done within my own heart. That hardened heart of stone, had become soft and was beating in my chest, for not only the fallen, but for a longing for His peace now, in this world torn to shreds by war and hate for one another.

I began to pray for the souls I seen being blown to bits on that beach. Imagining their family’s loss and pain. The children who never got to see their dad’s again. The mothers who never got to see their sons. The soldiers who never returned home.  Just as today, so many are taken, because those of the world, in this world, have to feed their ego’s with the things of this world, that can never satisfy. And thus, it all continues on the same path to destruction. Taking everything and everyone in its path with it.

Lord God,
your own Son was delivered into the hands of the wicked,
yet he prayed for his persecutors
and overcame hatred with the blood of the Cross.
Relive the sufferings of the innocent victims of war;
grant them peace of mind, healing of body,
and a renewed faith in your protection and care.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen

For all the souls lost, in all wars:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let the perpetual light shine upon them.

And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

“Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace, who are yourself our peace and reconciliation, who so often said, “Peace to you,” grant us peace. Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love. Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace. Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace. May all peoples on the earth become as brothers and sisters. May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all. Amen – St. John Paul II

Lord Jesus Christ, may all war end as there is no worldly glory to be found in war and let Your eternal peace be the glory all men and woman seek, for now and all time for all eternity.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.