Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, France
Ah young Willie McBride, I can’t help wonder why
Do those that lie here know why did they die?
And did they believe when they answered the cause
Did they really believe that this war would end wars?
Well the sorrow, the suffering, the glory, the pain
The killing and dying, were all done in vain
For young Willie McBride, it all happened again
And again, and again, and again, and again
—Eric Bogle, No Man’s Land (Green Fields of France)
Another Armistice Day.
We observe the day now as Veteran’s Day or Remembrance Day, as it’s known in some other countries. It is now a day that recognizes the service of all veterans, living and dead. But originally it was observed to commemorate the armistice signed on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 which marked the end of combat in World War I.
The end of The Great War.
The War to End All Wars.
If only.
Unfortunately, we humans have short memories and a poor grasp of history. The Great War was but a prelude to another World War and in the years since, there have been a multitude of other wars, invasions, genocides and ethnic cleansings.
They seem to always begin with an act of aggression based on greed, ego, or some kind of racial, religious, or ethnic hatred. One nation envies what another nation possesses. One leader desires more power and self-enrichment. People, spurred on by manipulative leaders, feel threatened by the existence of others, those who don’t share their race or religion or social beliefs.
It seems so long as we live in a world ruled by the greed, envy and fear of those who lead the nations of this world, war will always be near at hand.
It will remain a sometimes necessary evil until men stop exploiting other men.
And as such, the continued service and sacrifice of young men and women will be required.
Today is a day to honor those who serve and or have served their duty to this and other countries.
It is a day to remember how much has been given to us, the living, and how much has been taken from those who sacrificed their futures for the living.
A day to remind us all how fragile this world is and how each new war dishonors the veterans of the past and makes their sacrifice seem to have been made in vain.
Take a moment from your day and give it some thought. It is the least we can do.
The song featured today is from 1976 and was written by the Scottish Australian singer Eric Bogle. It is titled No Man’s Land and is also known as Green Fields of France. It tells the story of young soldier named Willie McBride who died in World War I. It was inspired by Bogle’s visits to the battlefield graveyards in Flanders and Northern France, such as the one shown at the top of the page. It is a song that has been recorded by numerous artists but I chose this version from the Dropkick Murphys. Just feels right.
This post ran several years back. With the current conflicts raging around the world, it seems appropriate for today.
Redtree Times 