Evening star., 1944-06-07
President Joined
By Millions in
Invasion Prayer
D. c. Churches Open;
Comedy Is Eliminated
In Radio Programs

Millions of Americans last
night heard President Roosevelt
invoke divine aid for the Allied
troops now fighting on French
beaches and reveal that when he
had spoken to them over the
radio the previous evening he
had known even then that SOL
diers were crossing the Channel
for the great invasion.
All radio networks broadcast the
Presidents prayer in which he asked
God to lead the Allied forces
straight and true" and give
strength to their arms, stoutness to
their hearts, steadfastness to their
faith" He had written the prayer
in his White House bedroom Tues
day night while receiving War De-
partment reports on the progress of
the invasion armada.
The President prefaced his pray
er, which had been printed in after
noon newspapers so that the people
might be familiar with it and join
with him, by the news that the
assault had met with success thus
far" He then said that when he
spoke Tuesday night on the Allied
success in taking Rome, he knew
that an even greater military move
ment was under way.
No Photographs Permitted.
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prayed were Mrs. Roosevelt, their
daughter Anna and her husband,
Maj. John Boettiger. Because of
the solemnity of the occasion, the
President declined to permit the
usual photographs of the broadcast
The deeply religious response
evoked throughout the Nation by
the long-awaited invasion of Europe
also was underscored last night by
the fact that virtually all nationally
known radio comedy programs
either gave way to prayers and
religious and martial music or
changed their usual note of levity
to one of solemnity.
In Washington nearly all churches
held special D-day services.
All members of the House and
Senate were informed that special
services would be held at noon at
st. Peters Church, Second and C
streets Sc. Scores of them at
tended the services, conducted by
the Rev. Walter J. Hayes, pastor.
Special Service Broadcast.
Hourly services were held through
out the day at the National Cathe-
dral on Mount st. Alban. During
the afternoon the Right Rev. Angus
Dun, Bishop of Washington, Joined
with the Rev. DR.. Edmund A. Walsh.
S. j., vice president of GEORGETOWN
University, and Rabbi Norman Gers
tenfeld OF the Washington Hebrew
Congregation in special religious
broadcast over Station WMAL.
At 8 pm. a series of services at
four widely scattered churches were
conducted under the auspices of the
Washington Federation of Churches
Those selected were the First Con-
gregational Church, Tenth and G
streets NV; the Chevy Chase Pres
byterian Church, Chevy Chase Cir
Gle; the National Baptist Church.
Sixteenth street and Columbia road,
and the Church of the Reformation
212 East Capitol street.
Services also were held last night
at st. Matthew'S Cathedral on
Rhode Island avenue and at st.
Stephens Catholic Church, Twenty
fifth street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. NV.
Synagogue Services Held.
Community services for those of
the Jewish faith were held at the
Ohev Sholom Synagogue, at Fifth
and streets NV, where the holy
ark had been left open through the
day.
In Maryland, Gov. O'Conor re-
quested yesterday that all taprooms
and cafes remain closed, while
schools were recessed to hold spe-
cial religious services, and stores
suspended business for two minutes
while clerks and customers stood in
throughout the State all workers
continued on their jobs, pausing
only for brief prayers. In many
places the invasion was heralded
by the blowing of whistles and the
ringing of bells.
In most Virginia towns and
cities, the Associated Press reported,
special D-day services were held in
the churches and bells were tolled.
Ralph ,Daughton, president of the
Piedmont (basebalD League, recon-
mended that all games be called off. =.
Men in the many Army camps
throughout the State also held re-
ligious services.
Three Awarded Degrees