I wrote and published this five years ago...
Armistice Day
Today marks the 100th Anniversary of the November 11, 1918 Armistice ending World War I. The Great War as it was called then was also referred to as “the war to end all wars.” That notion appears naive after a century of bloody conflict. It wasn’t.
It’s difficult for us to look back at history and comprehend that every person who ever lived was standing on the precipice of the future. While we’re young especially, we fumble to understand our own place in the panorama of the ages. Fifty odd years of living make me wonder what our descendants will think about us in 100 years. Is it naive of us to think we can reverse Global Climate Change, or end racism, or poverty, or hunger?
Being a peacetime vet, it makes me uncomfortable that Veterans Day is often a glorification of soldiers and war. Soldiers neither started nor ended the war. They are just the actors that play out the drama. I agree that we should honor those that answered the call, as we should memorialize those who gave their lives. Perhaps the politicians and war profiteers should get a day of their own so we don’t forget the part they play in the whole mess.
Armistice Day should be dedicated to the promotion of peace and the ending of war. Memorial Day is, as it ought to be, for the remembrance of those who died in war. Veterans Day should be to honor those who fought and survived the wars. Armed Forces day could be the day that we celebrate all of our service members past and present.
I guess my problem is that in the United States of America all of these “holidays” (along with Flag Day and the Fourth of July) get jumbled up together and the meaning gets diluted down to a chant of “USA! USA! USA!...” It’s just another excuse to tell a veteran, “Thank you for your service.”
Meanwhile veterans are committing suicide, living on the streets, dying without adequate healthcare… We don’t want thanks, we just want to receive the benefits we earned without the endless and overwhelming amount of government red tape involved.
We don’t want holidays, or parades… What we’d really like is a world at peace and an end to all wars.
I can’t think of anything to add.