From the recording Speak of Freedom
Lyrics
WHEN A BLUE STAR TURNS GOLD…
(Audio track of the video on Ann M. Wolf’s official streaming platforms)
This video is dedicated to Gold Star Families across America, whose loved ones lost their lives in defense of Freedom, having been killed in action on the battlefield. To represent all of these heroes we share a special day in the life of Gold Star parents, Bill and Bernie Koprince.
On September 13th, 2014, a portion of East Tennessee Highway was named in honor of one of Tennessee’s own, Billie Koprince Jr. who perished in battle while serving in Iraq. On this day we honored Billie, his family and community who all shared in the loss, while we remembered as well, the memory of all those who have fallen in service to their country.
What you are about to experience is the closing prayer, which was requested for the service that day, along with images from the ceremony as shared by those who were in attendance.
INVOCATION:
Lord God, we stand in Your Presence today with awe and thanksgiving on this auspicious occasion, having dedicated a part of our roadway to the memory and service of Lance Corporal Koprince, Junior, honorable son, friend, relative, and United States Marine. We thank you Lord God for his service during his brief, but profound time on earth, and for the gifts which you put in his heart and which he in turn gave freely to others until his last day.
We know Father, that he is with you today in the peace and fullness that you have prepared for Your servants. We thank you Lord for having opened the doors of opportunity so that this portion of roadway can be dedicated to the memory of Lance Corporal Koprince, Jr.
We thank you Lord for the love of his family, friends, and community who watched him grow up and who helped to prepare him for his destiny in public service.
We thank you Father for the special love of his parents, Bernie and Bill Koprince who, on a regular basis, reach out to comfort others who are experiencing the same, life-altering loss.
Lord, strengthen them as well as all of our Gold Star families as they move about their communities, telling us of the beauty of their loved ones as well as the beauty of all of America’s sons and daughters who have willingly laid down their lives for their country.
Lord, help all of us here honor the memory of those who have served in harm’s way. Help us to take up Your Shield of Mercy as we cling to the Power of Your Grace moving forward in fellowship, with a vision of Liberty in our hearts.
Change us Lord and do Your work in us so that the thoughts of our minds and the works of our hands will be pleasing in Your sight.
Guide us Lord and help us to be open to Your leading as to how we might be of comfort or encouragement to everyone we meet. Give us Lord, the words of love and of life to speak to one another as we face the challenges thrust upon our nation and world today.
And should we encounter differences among us, help us to move beyond those, that we might serve together in Unity and Love, as guided by Your Spirit.
Protect us Lord as we serve and protect all who serve in harm’s way on our behalf, covering their families with your love and comfort.
And finally, it is known that Bernie, Billie’s mother, feels a special duty in this life to serve others, knowing that she has to face her hero son when she reaches the other side.
May all of us carry that same burden in our hearts and may none of us rest until our work here is finished.
But as we labor in Your Name, may we all rest in Your Peace as guided by Your Spirit and hastened by Your Love, until we see You and until we meet again in the heavenlies, where we pray ardently, that we will hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servants.”
God bless us all and God Bless and Keep America, America…
In Your Name we Pray…
Amen.
Words by Ann M. Wolf © 2014, BMI, All rights reserved.