A

RIFLEMANS

PRAYER

                                 Dear God,
                     Hear this prayer of a warrior son.
                         Give my eyes a vision keen
                    To see the things that must be seen.
                         A steady hand I ask of Thee
                      The feel of wind on land or sea.
                          Let me never careless be
                         Of life or limb or liberty.
                       For Justice sake a quiet heart
                    And strength and grace to do my part.
                     To God and Country, and Corps
                        Let me be faithful evermore.

Note: The non-denominational prayer, A Rifleman's Prayer was issued
to Marine Corps recruits at MCRD-SD on a wallet sized card from the
mid-'50's until the late '70's. Some drill instructors required their
recruits to memorize it prior to marksmanship training at Camp
Mathews, California, now the campus of UCSD.

Send e-mail to: begley@scn.org
begley@scn.org