"My Fellow Americans.
In this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer: Almighty God. Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. But we shall return again and again. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips.
And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. That will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.
Thy will be done, Almighty God.
Amen.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt - June 6, 1944"