This was not meant to be about fallen soldiers -- thus the title. This was a tribute to the military families who are dealing with loved ones being away from home. The title is from a hymn: Eternal Father Strong to Save. The original ended "for those in peril on the sea".
It has been rewritten, ammended, etc., over the years. The 1940 episcopal church version is:
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidst the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O, hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!
Christ, the Lord of hill and plain,
O'er which our traffic runs amain,
By mountain pass or valley low,
Wherever Lord our brethren go,
Protect them by Thy guarding hand
From every peril on the land!
O Spirit Whom the Father sent
To spread abroad the firmament,
O Wind of Heaven, by Thy might
Save all who dare the eagle's flight,
And keep them by Thy watchful care
From every peril in the air!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad praise from air, and land, and sea!
There are many additional verses that have been written. I had chosen the one for military families:
God, who dost still the restless foam,
Protect the ones we love at home.
Provide that they should always be
By thine own grace both safe and free.
O Father, hear us when we pray
For those we love so far away.
Even though this was meant to be a song about the families themselves, I wanted to turn it around for a family member at home to pray: "O, father, hear us when we pray for those we love so far away.
Many, many, many thanks to Jose and his family, for letting me use his dogtags and for his service to our country. :)
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