The Proud American Prayer   by Major Tom Magness

WE THANK THEE, LORD, FOR THIS FOOD AND FOR ALL THY MANY GIFTS. WE ASK THY PROTECTION AND BLESSING ON THIS GATHERING OF PROUD AMERICANS, ON THOSE WE SERVE, AND THOSE WE LOVE. WE ASK THY BLESSING ALSO ON THE LAND; THAT IN THY MERCY THOU WILL GRANT IT PEACE. WE ASK THESE THINGS IN THY NAME, AND FOR THY SAKE. AMEN

As Tom recalls, The Proud Americans at Tay Ninh Base Camp ate most evening meals in the battalion mess as a group. When the CO came in, the room was called to attention and they may have said the Pledge of Allegiance, then someone would say a prayer. Tom suggested that they get a standard ecumenical one and have it on the table so that the young troops, in particular, wouldn't be put on the spot. When a table was called upon to lead, someone would read the prayer or say one of their own or ask for a moment of silence. Tom "volunteered" to write the prayer, drafted something , and bounced it off the CO and the Chaplain. The "Proud American Prayer" was the result, and became the mode most used for giving thanks in the 2/32 mess. Tom wrote this in the fall of 1969 and the prayer was used through much of 1970.

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