Until her retirement, Cdr. Dunning was the only openly gay person serving in the U.S. military. Her partner, Pam Grey, was publicly honored at the ceremony. Because she won a case in military court allowing her to be both open about her being a lesbian and was allowed to stay in the service. After she won her case, military rule was enacted saying that "no one else" could use the same legal argument.
An article about Dunning appeared in the August 2002 issue of
Stanford Business.Jeffrey's offerings were:
Invocation:Let us pray. God of Many Names, hear our prayer. Your presence is with us now as always. May the power of truth and love, compassion and justice abide within us supported by Your grace.
The values and ethics commander Zoe Dunning holds deeply, brought her on a her journey here to this day. "To defend freedom and democracy around the world, proudly serve the United States Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment; in commitment to excellence and the fair treatment of all" -- these words of the Sailors' Creed, and her religious ethical values, brought her to serve in the Navy Reserves and to “risk of the self” for the greater good.
God, Spirit of Life, Your presence gave Zoe Dunning the courage to embody the Navy value of fair treatment to all, and the Unitarian Universalist principle affirming the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Her courage held her truth, in service to the United States Military, to the Navy Reserves, and to all persons willing to serve their country through military service. Her twenty-two years of dedicated service with a record of high competence, ingenuity, and exemplary conduct is a moral example for us all. We ask many blessings for her in her retirement.
God, Great Mystery of the Universe, we ask for Your continued grace and guidance as we humbly search for truth in love, love and compassion in truth telling, and compassion in justice.
I ask for a moment of silence for all peoples around the world, throughout history who have died fighting in Your name. May we be forgiven, and given the strength to stand against violence in Your name.
(30 seconds silence)
And as we gather today in respect for the service of Commander Zoe Dunning, we ask blessings on her in her retirement, her family, and those that remain in service to this country now around the world.
In the name of One God we pray, Amen.
Benediction:Loving God, Divine Mystery, let us know Your guidance. We are all God’s children: Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist, pagan, Buddhist -- each of us dear to You even as we see You differently. For Your vastness in incomprehensible to us. We can never know You fully from our limited human capacity.
O God of all nations, let us be humble as we seek to know the truth. Let us be open to new paths together as we learn to love and create compassionate justice in Your image.
Loving God, we ask a special blessing today for Zoe Dunning as she takes the next step on her life path into an active retirement. We ask a blessing on all of us to protect the love within our hearts and Your peace in the world. We ask a blessing for all those who will remain on watch.
From the Unitarian Universalist hymnal by Rev. Robert Mabry Doss:
For all who see God, may God go with you.
For all who embrace life, may life return your affection.
For all who seek a right path, may a way be found...
And the courage to take it step by step.
In the name of One God we pray, Amen.
Posts
