One century ago, November 11th, 1918, 11 a.m., the guns of "The Great War" fell silent in Europe, ending those four years of war in which some 14 million died.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month has been celebrated since as Armistice Day, a cross-national celebration of peace.
The US recognized and observed Armistice Day until 1954, when it was changed to Veterans Day. British Commonwealth nations now call the day Remembrance Day.
I was 5 years old in 1954, and not really into world or national news or events, but I do remember when it was called Armistice Day, and that name lingered in general use for several years after that as well.
It was probably appropriate after WWII to broaden the occasion from just WWI, and perhaps to recognize that the Armistice originally celebrated did not last: A resigned, Cold War recognition that "The War to end all wars," had failed to accomplish that.
The change from Armistice Day to Veterans Day was a subtle change, perhaps, but it changed the emphasis from a celebration of peace, to a remembrance of war. It also tended to isolate the US from the essentially international nature of peace: That peace depends on many nations, not just one.
Since Pearl Harbor, the US has been essentially in a perpetual state of war.
- Cold War, NATO, European and Asian bases
- Berlin airlift 1948-49
- Korean War 1950-53
- Cuba Bay of Pigs invasion, 1961
- Vietnam War 1961-73
- Dominican Republic, Haiti, Grenada, Panama
- Lebanon 1982
- Gulf War 1991
- Somalia 1993 ("Blackhawk Down")
- Balkans: Bosnia 1994-5 & Kosovo 1999
- Afghanistan 2001 - ?
- Iraq 2003 -?
- Syria missiles
Of course, the world has seen many other wars in that period, in which the US did not directly participate. Some of them, the US was involved indirectly, with arms or support of various kinds. Others, perhaps with no US involvement.
War seems to be a natural state of human affairs, with peace being the rare exception.
Peace seems indeed something to celebrate.
An act of Congress approved May 13, 1938, made November 11 in each year a legal holiday: "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."
Knowing the conditions in 1938, that was so optimistic, it seems almost sarcastic.
Perhaps the change to Veterans Day in 1954 was an abandonment of peace as a credible goal.
We have many US holidays that remember war:
- Memorial Day
- Veterans Day
- Armed Forces Day
- Independence Day
Some claim that peace must be fought for; That it is best achieved by military might; That we should thank soldiers for giving us peace.
Others claim that violence cannot be overcome violence; That love and non-violence are the way to peace.
Some say human nature is simply incapable of peace, and peace can only come with divine intervention.
I have not just one, but many opinions and beliefs on peace. No doubt, you do too.
I could not help being moved by French President Macron's speech yesterday
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| A cozy and peaceful group? |
in which he said:
"Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism, Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. In saying ‘Our interests first, whatever happens to the others,’ you erase the most precious thing a nation can have, that which makes it live, that which causes it to be great and that which is most important: Its moral values. I know there are old demons which are coming back to the surface, They are ready to wreak chaos and death. History sometimes threatens to take its sinister course once again."You may disagree. You may think that strong nations further the course of peace, and that "good fences make good neighbors." You may view with suspicion or even hostility such globalist one-world views. I can sympathize. There are many dangers in this world.
Whatever your view, most people seem to think peace would be nice.
Perhaps, one day a year, to think about peace, would be a good idea?
Just one day each year - to think about, plan for, wish for, hope for, fantasize about, even pray for, Peace. Is that too much to ask?
The Beatles sang: "Give peace a chance." Idealistic, unrealistic, simplistic, sure. Just a song. Liberal, humanist, BS. Don't expect great truths from Rock N Roll. Get real.
But still, just one single day, to just think about Peace.
Lots of holidays now involve fantasizing. We just had Halloween, all fantasy. There's the Easter Bunny. Leprechauns on Saint Patrick's Day.
Valentines Day is devoted to fantasizing about idealized, unrealistic, romanticized love (and sex). Can't they do the same for peace? Hallmark could make a killing, er, fortune.
Next up, Santa Claus.
Speaking of Santa Claus:
We are about to enter the Christmas season, celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians call "The Prince of Peace," and whose birth was heralded by angels proclaiming "Peace on Earth. Good will to men," a goal, 2000 years on, still awaiting fulfillment. Perhaps Christmas could be that day to think about peace?
But, don't just think about peace. Just Do It!
Jesus didn't just promise peace in a future Paradise. He offers peace today. He calls us to peace now. Just accept his peace, and practice it, now.
Waiting for divine intervention is a cop-out. Don't wait for God to do it for you. God has already intervened. Don't wait for someone else to be first. Jesus was already first. Now, it's our turn.
He said to treat others as we want to be treated, not as we are treated. Do you want killing to stop? Then stop killing. Just stop.
You say you are "Pro-Life?" Great! Then stop killing people. Set the example of not killing the unborn by not killing the already born.
Jesus is not called the Prince of Peace just because of a promised future, but because of what he already did. He reconciled us to God, and he calls us to reconcile with each other, even if that requires self-sacrifice.
Soldiers who die in battle are said to give "the ultimate sacrifice." But Jesus died in peace, an even greater sacrifice. He set the example that he asks us to follow. Put down the battlefield crosses, and take up the cross of Jesus.
Cease fire. Declare your own Armistice.
As the song says: "Let there be peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me."
Peace
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