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CNN Live Event/Special

Invocation at the Pentagon

Aired September 11, 2002 - 09:29   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for our invocation, delivered by Major General Gaylord Gunnus.
MAJ. GEN. GAYLORD GUNNUS, CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS, U.S. ARMY: Let us pray, almighty God, we ask you bless us as we gather today in this sacred place, while the reality of our pain and loss has become all too apparent. We ask you now to bless the Bless those who suffered injury and are still recovering. Bless all of those who aided in the rescue and recovery. Bless all the affected families and friends who struggled with the loss and pain.

Our tribute to all of them, oh, Lord, is our steadfast resolve. We are amazed and grateful for the immense accomplishment of reconstruction. The rebuilding of the Pentagon is more than the restoration of stop and steel. It represents the spirit of America. Lord, it represents our nation standing together restored and renewed by your life-giving love and hope.

Today, Lord, we rise as a people to meet the challenges of a new day, fortify our inner courage as we hold the moral high ground, deep in our resolve to stand against evil no matter the cost and grant us, Lord, wisdom to continue building on the foundation of equality, justice and liberty.

Now, Lord, we offer this sacred ground to you and ask your blessing upon it. We will not let those who died fade from our memories. We will not be swayed from our faithful service in the cause of freedom.

With your blessing, Lord, we consecrate this building, all who serve here, all of the men and women of our armed forces who serve around the world.

Guide us as we press on in the cause of justice and peace for our country and for the world.

God bless America. Amen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please be seated.

AARON BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: The invocation at the pentagon. As we said, these events now are going on concurrently in New York, where it is windy.

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