Invocation I Made at my Friend's Military Retirement (without the names)
ETERNAL FATHER,
IT IS WITH THANKFUL HEARTS
THAT WE LIFT OUR PRAYER TO YOU
ON THIS SIGNIFICANT OCCASION.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE LIFE,
SKILL AND DEDICATION OF MY FRIEND.
WE ALSO THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT SACRIFICE
OF HIS WIFE AND THEIR CHILDREN,
IN ALLOWING HIM TO SERVE FAITHFULLY AND WITH VIGOR.
WE ASK YOUR BLESSING,
MERCIFUL LORD,
UPON THIS BELOVED FAMILY AS THEY START ANEW.
BE WITH THEM IN THEIR MOVE.
GIVE THEM COMFORT IN THE DIFFICULTY
OF LEAVING WHAT THEY KNOW.
BLESS THEM WITH NEW FRIENDS
WITH WHOM THEY CAN SHARE THE JOYS OF LIFE.
MAKE THEIR MEMORIES FOND AND SWEET
OF ALL THEY ACCOMPLISHED AND ALL THE PEOPLE THEY KNEW.
AS A PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU, MY FRIENDS,
I TURN TO MY IRISH HERITAGE:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again
may God hold you all in the palm of his hand.
