Unfortunately, there are few experiences in human history as universal as war. Indeed, history books are often arranged around the chronology of warfare. We speak of the Revolutionary War Era, the Civil War Era, the time between the two world wars, and so on. When a nation is at war, few lives are untouched. Whether it is a generally accepted and so-called popular war, like World War II, or a war protested by many, like Vietnam, either way, war tends to effect the lives of everyone.
Most people would agree that war is not a good thing. In fact some wars have been described as necessary evils. Most people would agree that the difficulties and sorrows caused by war are devastating. Soldiers, sailors and others die in batttle. Mothers are left without sons. Children are robbed of their parents. Sweethearts are separated for months, years and sometimes forewver. Civilians too, often die during war. Such things as fire bombings, napalm, IEDs, chemical weapons and concentration camps rarely distinguish between those who wear uniforms and those who don't.
No, war is not a good thing. Indeed, it is a source of death and destruction. But out of such tragic crucibles can come reminders of the good in our lives. So we have our days of remembrance, our Memorial Days, our Veterans Days, not to celebrate war, but to honor the good that stands in contrast to the horror of it all. We have such days to be reminded of the importance of things like courage, selflessness and the willingness to give of oneself for others that often surfaces in times of war.
I am no fan of war. In fact, I am a pacifist. But I still respect the need for our days of rememberance. Might they remind us not only of those who have died and those whose lives were forever changed, might they also remind us to work for a day when there is no need for war.
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