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Marines pray with nation

• In Albany, the deputy chief of Naval chaplains leads Marines in prayer.

Staff Reports

ALBANY — Albany Marines joined Americans across the nation Thursday as they took time for National Day of Prayer.

Gathered at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany, the Marines met for fellowship and a 7:15 a.m. breakfast during which they heard from Rear Adm. Alan T. Baker, 16th chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps and deputy chief of Naval chaplains.

Thursday was Baker’s first time aboard MCLB-Albany.

“I recognize the many sacrifices that our Marines are making and their families are making for the price of freedom,” Baker said. “As we pray, we want to pray for the healing of the wounded, we want to pray for those families that are suffering and continue to suffer because of their fathers and husbands and children who have fallen.”

The National Day of Prayer — which Baker said is a day when “all Americans, regardless of their faith, are asked to come together on their own way and pray” — was made official by Congress in 1952.

Before that, there were prayer days, the earliest in 1775 when the Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in the formation of the new nation. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared that the prayer day be on the first Thursday of May.

“Prayer has a rich history in our nation,” Baker said. “Prayer is America’s strength and shield.”

Marine officials at the breakfast included Col. Christian N. Haliday, commanding officer of MCLB-Albany, and Maj. Gen. Willie J. Williams, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command.

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