Tomorrow is Veterans Day, a day set aside to commemorate Armistice Day — Nov. 11, 1918 — ending “the war to end all wars.”

On that day, the end of World War I was a cause for great celebration. Since that time, Nov. 11 has been a day of remembrance, reverence and prayer.

This year, as we learned last month, the L/A Veterans Council intended to dedicate a gift from local veteran Joe Paradis at Lewiston’s downtown Veterans Memorial Park.

More than a year ago, Paradis proposed the idea of establishing a Tomb of the Unknown monument at the park, a project that he felt would duly acknowledge the sacrifices of America’s unknown soldiers, sailors and airmen. He thought the project so important, he decided to pay for it himself and donate the monument to the council. The council accepted, and moved ahead with plans to dedicate the stone Thursday.

Then, according to council Co-Chairman Paul Bernard, the council “voted to NOT unveil the stone till next Memorial Day” because it would not agree to Paradis’ request to have the stone blessed and to his desire to lay a wreath at the base of the monument.

That’s because, according to Bernard, “wreaths of Enduring Memory are laid on Memorial Day.” And, he’s right.

But that doesn’t mean there is no appropriate alternative prayer to be offered on Veterans Day that could — and should — easily substitute for the traditional Memorial Day prayer and wreath-laying.

When President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the nation’s Veterans Day, he intended that, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations …"

That sentiment seems in keeping with Paradis’ intent in pushing for the Tomb monument, doesn’t it? That we remember and reflect the sacrifices and heroism of those who died? Known and unknown?

A traditional Memorial Day prayer may not seem appropriate to the council, but how about this prayer, written by Joanna Fuchs:

“Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country.

"We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s heritage, for all of us.

"Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression.

"We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness.

"In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.”

Or how about this more official Veterans Day prayer, “God of life and death, thank you for the sacrifice of so many for the safety of our country. May we continue to honor our veterans and their service for many years to come, and never let them be forgotten. Amen.”

We recognize that the tradition of proper dedications is important, but it is also important to accept Paradis’ gift with grace.

In explaining his heartfelt desire to see this project through, Paradis told the Sun Journal, “to me, the monument brings together the family of soldiers.”

He’s right.

And to withhold its dedication because of some disagreement about which prayer to say, or whether to lay a wreath as the stone is dedicated, does not honor Americans who fought and died for this country.

Not. At. All.

editorialboard@sunjournal.com