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THE MEDITATION AND PRAYER ROOM INSIDE THE PENTAGON Dedication of the Prayer & Meditation Room inside the Pentagon, Washington D.C. by Melvin Laird, Secretary of Defense
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On December 14, 1970, a small room was dedicated. Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird felt the Pentagon was not complete without a place for employees to pray, if they so desired. As a former member of Congress, he was familiar with such a room located in the U.S. Capital, for the purpose of prayer and meditation. “In a sense, this ceremony marks the completion of the Pentagon,” Secretary Laird said, “for until now this building lacked a place where man’s inner spirit could find expression. In the Concourse and corridors of this building can be found a wide range of goods and services of a material nature, as well as places for work and duty. Today, we are dedicating a room in the Pentagon as a place where the needs of the spirit- the needs of the inner man-can find satisfaction. It is a place where men and women can reflect and pray, and find guidance, as well as inspiration.” Secretary Laird continued, “The room offers a setting in which we can pray as we like. Its existence is a recognition of our dependence on God if we are to progress toward the peace which we seek for ourselves, and for all mankind. Peace is the business of this building-this small room is an affirmation of that.” The secretary of Defense concluded, “Though we cling to the principle that church and state should be separate, we do not propose to separate man from God. For without Him, Who is the source of our being, the source of our wisdom, and the source of our strength, we can do nothing.”
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