With Memorial Day coming up on Monday, the thoughts of many readers are with our military personnel stationed around the globe.

Michael Carden of Vinton submitted a "Citizens Prayer for our troops," excerpted below. We invite your response and comment about your views about the role of faith on Memorial Day.

"Oh greatest in the highest,
I pray you'll keep our people peaceful and free.
Let them know we love them still,
and want them home again,
to love, to kiss and hug.
Let them know we understand,
and that we really care."

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• Posted by Rob Johnson in PrayerPrayer ::
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With Memorial Day coming up on Monday, the thoughts of many readers are with our military personnel stationed around the globe.

Michael Carden of Vinton submitted a "Citizens Prayer for our troops," excerpted below. We invite your response and comment about your views about the role of faith on Memorial Day.

"Oh greatest in the highest,
I pray you'll keep our people peaceful and free.
Let them know we love them still,
and want them home again,
to love, to kiss and hug.
Let them know we understand,
and that we really care."

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• Posted by Rob Johnson in PrayerPrayer ::
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There are plenty of places you're welcome for services today at noon, when the 57th National Day of Prayer will be observed.

In downtown Roanoke there will be a gathering at Lee Plaza, led by the Rev. Edward Burton, pastor of Sweet Union Baptist Church.

Services are also scheduled in the Fincastle Library parking lot, the Buchanan Fire Department parking lot, Bonsak Baptist Church and Parkway Wesleyan Church on Route 460 northeast of Roanoke.

All services on non-denominational.

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This week The Roanoke Times has assigned me to report and write about tensions between American-born blacks and Somali-Bantu immigrants at a Northwest Roanoke apartment complex who have been settled there by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.

As reported, there's been some rock-throwing, name-calling and threats. The rift is made worse because of poor maintenance at Maple Grove Apartments--a blighted home by almost any standard.

Today I was interviewing residents about the latest developments when a woman pulled up, showed me The Roanoke Times front page, and commenced praying out loud for community healing. She came alone, casually dressed, driving a late-model car that was probably newer than any other in the parking lot.

Although city code inspectors were out in force on Thursday at the complex, and police have stepped up patrols, I have seen no evidence of intervention by community groups or other churches. There was just this woman, Charlene Proctor, praying and walking about to greet the Bantus and wish them God's blessings. The Bantus are Muslim and most don't speak much English, but they seemed to welcome her.

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• Posted by Rob Johnson in Prayer ::
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