forgetting armistice day

Something worth repeating from a year ago:

Undoubtedly, America's hawks will celebrate Veterans' Day, but they will forget about the time when November 11 was a day to remember the warriors while observing the blessings of peace. Instead, they will use the day to lionize war. They will forget the lessons of 1918, and will use a day that was meant to reflect on peace to cheer on more killing and destruction.

We must indeed remember the millions of Americans who have been and continue to be sent to foreign lands to fight for dubious causes and imperial crusades. I don't think the best way is by sending fresh faces into battle and adding fresh corpses to the graveyards of America's war dead.

One day, I hope that the last war fought will seem like a distant memory, and that the veterans who pass away will not be replaced by new ones returning from battle.

One day, I hope most Americans will pay respect to the tragic sacrifices of America's soldiers of the past by observing the beautiful bedrock of civilization that is peace.

One day, I hope we can rejoin the world in a celebration of truce.

One day, I hope we honor America's veterans by restoring the original meaning of Armistice Day.

November 11, 2004

"Forgetting Armistice Day" by Anthony Gregory