Chaplain’s Center
Honoring the Mission
Our foundation of the American Legion begins with the declaration “for God and country.” In the heart lies a sacred mission: to serve the needs of our beloved Veterans. Let us pause and reflect on this noble purpose, rekindling our passion and commitment to those who have served. As comrades, let us reevaluate our respect for one another, from our local posts to our administrative staff and to our leadership. Through unity and mutual understanding, we can forge a stronger, more cohesive community. Furthermore, let us encourage both current and future generations of Veterans through our actions and words. Let us lead by example, embodying the values of faith, patriotism, and selflessness. Together, let us renew our dedication to God and country, ensuring that our organization remains a beacon of hope and support for all who have served.
For God and Country,
Dr. Kathy Cash
CA Department Chaplain
Like our nation’s founding fathers, the veterans who founded The American Legion acknowledged God as the source of all our rights and freedoms. The Preamble to or Constitution begins,
“For God and Country we associate ourselves together…“
Apart from God, our history as a people has no meaning. In this faith our institutions were created, our laws enacted, and our liberties secured. To safeguard our sovereignty and our prosperity, that same belief must direct our political, social and economic paths today.
Conceding the erosion of moral and spiritual values in recent years, and recognizing our dependence upon God, The American Legion reaffirms its commitment to bring all Americans closer to their Creator and remind them of His proper place at the center of the nation’s life. “Service to God and Country” – it’s an American Legion program, yes, but the saying describes just as well our members’ attitude and way of life.
Four months that all chaplains must remember:
- February – The Four Chaplains Service is one of the most honored events that should never be forgotten.
- May – Ensure that posts place a wreath on the grave of every veteran within their community, across the country over Memorial Day. “Let’s ensure that everyone’s has a wreath.” Post Everlasting is a poignant reminder for all of those who have passed on throughout the year and we must find the time to honor them.
- November – Veterans Day is a time to a day remember the sacrifices made by those who served at home and abroad, each giving of their time. We must remember all veterans who came before us and that we [The American Legion] stand for something. Never forget.
- December – Pearl Harbor Day
Nondenominational and nonsectarian, the Legion’s support for religion in the public square is basic Americanism. Rather than acting independently of religious groups, the Legion desires to cooperate with and join them in reminding the American people with one voice that God is the author and architect of our beloved “land of the free.” Without God, there is no Americanism.
SHARE A PRAYER
During emotional times, times of chaos, and strife, prayers can give us all a spiritual connection. During such times, members of our Legion Family may want to share a prayer with their comrades. Prayers become an antidote for the anxieties of life.
Share your payer with your comrades by entering it into the “Comment” section at the bottom of this column.
CHAPLAIN RESOURCES
- American Legion Chaplains
- Benefits Information for Survivors
- CalVet Burial Benefits New
- Four Chaplains Day
- Chaplain’s Handbook
- Guidelines for Honoring the Four Chaplains
- Sons Manual of Ceremony & Prayer
- Summary of VA Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits New
- Temporary Financial Assistance
- VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit New
- What to Do Before a Veteran Dies
Cremation with U.S. Flag
2022 California Law
U.S. military veterans can now be cremated with an American flag. The request to the crematorium must be made by the person or persons with the authority to dispose of the veteran’s remains. The new law exempts the process from the United States Code, which otherwise dictates the protocol involving the retirement or disposal of an American flag. Click here to read the entire text of the law.
The following information is from the CalVet website.
Burial Benefits
- Burial and Plot-Interment Allowances
- Military Funeral Honors Program
- Presidential Memorial Certificates
- Headstones and Markers
- Survivor’s Benefits
Loving God,
I thank you for taking home to heaven Area 2, District 9 commander Tony Webb.
Tony professed Christ as his Lord and Savior to everyone he came in contact with and I’m grateful his final days were peaceful as he was surrounded by those he loved and who loved him back. Please bless and comfort his wife, Laura and their large extended family.
I also ask you to bless the Veterans of District 9 as we seek to fill the commander position.
Speak to the heart of the person who will become the next leader of the District. Our membership is such a wonderful, diverse group.
I ask this in Jesus’s name, Amen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Dear Lord I pray for your blessings to continue to fall down upon each and every member of our American Legion Family.
Bless us with wisdom, and courage to aid in helping to keep this wonderful country a nation built on the word of God.
A nation that places God first; with government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Help us to be united as one, in spite of our many differences to maintain strength and dignity in this present time, and beyond.
Oh, gracious Father, I pray that you’ll allow us to reach the next generation of Americans to share with them the true meaning of “For God and Country”. The world has them so distracted and confused that they are unaware of your presence and their ability to know you personally. Lead us to do a better job of encouraging them to “want” to know you.
Lord, it’s always easier to help them see the benefit of serving others once they are able to see the need in serving you. Your word says, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, then love your neighbor as yourself. Lord, please help us develop opportunities for the next generation that truly serve this great country, not just in the armed forces but within their communities creating a greater America for all. Amen.
Lord and Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our freedoms and the privilege of serving veterans and our communities. I lift up to you our Department Executive Committee and ask you to fill them with wisdom and discernment, as they gather to conduct the business of ALDOC. Season their discussions with grace and humility; their fellowship with the warmth and assurance of your Holy Spirit, as He guides their decisions. Please keep them safe as they travel and continue to bless our organization, its mission and our great country.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Gracious God our Father, how we say thank you for another day to experience your goodness. We come before you to pray for the upcoming Department Executive Committee meeting. We pray that as we come together to hash out the business of the Department, that we be reminded of our purpose for God and country; that we be reminded of our attitude toward one another; that we be reminded of the service that we are privileged to continue to provide to our fellow Veterans. We thank you in advance for the traveling grace for all who are traveling to the DEC. We thank you for the accommodations, the hotel staff, and those who will be providing hospitality support during the DEC. We thank you for the opportunity to see one another and have the mini-reunions that we look forward to every year. Please, God, remind us that our foundation is for God and country, and that we are called to walk in your love, peace, and kindness. Thank you in your marvelous name we pray, AMEN…AMEN…AMEN!
Our Father in heaven, we thank you for your awesomeness! We thank you for not only being a prayer hearing God, but a prayer answering God. We lift up to you the administrative staff responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Department of California. Their service to the Officers and Comrades at the Department level, the Area level, the District level, and the Post level is valuable and we say thank you for their willingness to continue to serve. We ask that you strengthen their hearts and minds and remind those calling into the office to be pleasant and give words of encouragement to the staff. Everyone works hard and everyone’s hard work is valuable. Thank you for reminding us of our command to be kind to one another. For God and county, in your mighty magnificent name we pray, AMEN…AMEN…AMEN.
Father God, in the name of Jesus, thank You for Blessing America and the American Legion. We pray for all people. Give us the courage to persevere and the peace in knowing You’ll never leave us. I pray that You clear our minds of any worry or anxiety so we may focus our attention on serving You and our country. Bless our military members with courage, strength and wisdom to help protect our freedoms. In your mighty name I Pray. Amen.
Lord,
I pray for the health of my family, especially my baby girl Lupita who is 2 months old. I pray in Jesus name. Amen
Dear God, I pray that you fill our fellow Veterans with your peace and your strength that they need during this season. I thank you that as they draw closer to you, you would illuminate their lives and allow them to shine for you. I thank you for the dreams and desires that you have given each one of them and I pray that they embrace the boldness to walk in their purpose. I pray against any lie the enemy tries to use to attack the mind, soul, and body and that they be reminded that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you God for the blessings that have accompanied the sacrifices that our Veterans have made. AMEN…AMEN…AMEN!
Heavenly Father, we pray for the families of those recently killed while serving this great country. You promised that you would comfort those who mourn and we thank you for keeping your promise.
We ask that you continue to bless each one of us as we remember the families and the service that was rendered by these courageous Marines and Soldiers.
May we be reminded that freedom is not free and hold dear the sacrifices made by these brave men and women.
Lord, keep us in your care and continue to bless us individually and collectively. AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.
Gracious God, we come before You with hearts filled with gratitude, especially as we approach this holiday season. We want to express our deep appreciation for the joy and wonder that these moments bring into our lives, and we praise You for the abundant goodness and grace You shower upon us and all humanity.
In our reflections on this season, we turn our focus towards the brave men and women who have served our nation as Veterans. We acknowledge the sacrifices they have made for the sake of our freedom and the well-being of our country. During this holiday season, we lift up in prayer those Veterans who may be feeling alone, facing illness, or going through times of stress and difficulty.
May Your comforting presence envelop them, bringing a sense of peace to their hearts. Grant each of them Your enduring grace and strength as they navigate the challenges that life may present. As we gather with friends and family to celebrate, may we be mindful of those who have served and sacrificed, and may we extend our gratitude and support to them.
In the spirit of this holiday season, let us remember and honor our Veterans, expressing our deep appreciation for their service and sacrifice. May they find solace, companionship, and the warmth of community during these festive times. Amen.
Dear Father God,
On the first day of this new month, let us remember to continue praising you for your goodness. As we look forward to celebrations of Veterans Day all around the country, we thank you for the service that as Veterans we continue to provide. In this month of Thanksgiving, we thank you for our families and friends and the opportunity to express thanks, not just on one day but on everyday. Thank you for your love, your grace, and your mercy. In Your Mighty and Matchless Name, AMEN…AMEN…AMEN!
Thank you for all the great prayers listed above.
A PRAYER FOR THE BEREAVED:
We beseech You, O Lord our God, to give those who are grieving a spirit of faith and bravery. You promise in Your Word that You would comfort those who mourn. May they reflect on the love and joy that they shared on earth with gratitude. May they find solace in the certain confidence of a happy reunion with their loved ones in Your eternal kingdom. Amen.
Gracious God, we thank You for the privilege of living in and experiencing the freedom of this great nation. We thank You for extending traveling grace and mercy to those who traveled to and from the American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is with gratitude upon our lips and thanksgiving within our hearts that we give honor to You for another remarkable national meeting. As we go into this new year, we pray that the decisions made, the networking experienced, and the bonds of friendship formed, continue to strengthen us as we continue to be of service to our fellow Veterans. May Your peace be evident in our daily lives. We submit this prayer in Your mighty and magnificent name, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!
Lord, we know that You are the God who comforts us. Our Comrade, Michael A. Gombar, Past Department Commander, has been promoted to Post Everlasting and we are thankful for his service. We pray that You provide a time of comfort and rest for those whose hearts are hurting right now. We lift his family up to You during this time of bereavement. May we continue to honor You in his celebration of life. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with bowed down heads and humble hearts thanking You for the life of our Comrade, Albert “Pancho” Villa, Jr, who has graduated to Post Everlasting. We lift up his family during this season of bereavement. We thank You for being a God of comfort, promising to comfort those who mourn. Thank You for his life as we celebrate his legacy. We pray this in Your mighty name, Amen.
When you feel God is not with you:
Isaiah 41:13 “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
Gracious God, how we thank You for another impactful convention. We thank you for the past leadership and their efforts over the past year. We thank you for the incoming leadership and ask that you be with them as they embark upon this new year. May we continue to be examples of Your love as we serve our fellow Veterans. In Your name we pray, AMEN… AMEN…AMEN!
Heavenly Father, Thank you that You hear us when we call on You. With confidence that You will act, I pray that You will show Yourself strong on behalf of our comrades at
Post 255: Paul “Buddha” Ressler, Chris Walker, Joe Bonilla, Rick Paul, Bill Moss, Ed Stecher. Thank You, Father! AMEN
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus I pray, thanking you for your goodness and mercy. I come before you to thank you for your many blessings upon The American Legion, ask forgiveness for our sins, and Pray for healing. Protect and preserve the name of our organization. May our service and gifts of love impact lives and have longevity. Forgive us for our sins. We choose to forgive everyone who has hurt us. When we forgive in words, allow Your Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with peace. Thank you for the power of forgiveness. You bore our sins” in your body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by your wounds we have been healed.” So, we claim healing in the mighty name of Jesus. Your word tells us whatever we ask for in Prayer, believe that we have received it, and it will be ours. Help us to be obedient to Your word so our Prayers will be heard, and our requests will have favor. Thank you for hearing this Prayer. Amen.
Lord I lift up department commander James and his present health challenge. I pray for a successful surgery/ recovery. I lift up his family to you Lord,, bring them peace in this season. I pray this in Jesus name
Amen
Please pray for the health and well being of Aquiles Ortiz, Cmdr National City Post 255
now in ICU.
Thank You
Lord
I pray for the family of 5th Area commander Harry Woods as you have called him to join commander Grimsley in post everlasting. I pray for your mercy and grace to be upon these families. In Jesus Name
Amen