Leonard Mallonee Cowherd III

West Point, 2003

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Bob & Sherry Hall on May 18, 2004:

I wrote this prayer below for our son, Charles W Hall, Class of 2003 in the summer of 1999. He met your son when they were in the same company plebe year. In his e-mail to us he said, "He [Leonard} was a good guy". I hope you can find some comfort in the words. A Cadet Parent?s Prayer Heavenly Father, give me strength. Give me strength to let go of my child whom I love more than life itself...for they are now an adult. Give me strength to place them in your hands and trust in your wisdom and guidance and not my own. Give me strength to support and stand by my cadet even if they choose a path that makes me uncomfortable. Give me strength to always encourage my cadet even when my own heart is breaking over the same hurt and disappointment that they feel. And finally Lord, give me strength that I may not boast too much of the pride I feel that my son or daughter is a cadet at West Point. Help me always appreciate that their accomplishments are given by your grace and sustained by you will. And grant that one day I might stand there on graduation, with all the other parents, filled with love and delight, as my child becomes a distinguished member of the "long gray line". This we ask in your Holy Name...AMEN

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