My Dad died over a year ago.  I can’t tell you how much I miss him.  He truly was a great man, and I’m not just saying that because he was my Dad.  He undoubtedly, did a lot of good in this world… for a lot of people.  He was compassionate and kind in his entire being…. heart and soul.

One of the things he did during his life was serve the United States during WWII. He was stationed on the European Front.  A Gunny.    He never spoke too much about this thing of war.  I think it deeply affected him.  I know he felt much honor in duty to his country.  Our country.   But I am not sure he agreed with everything that war calls upon an individual to do.  To see. To experience.

For a little three-letter-word, “war” packs quite a punch.  It is about as complicated, consequential, and comprehensive as little words go.

You see….. people can’t seem to agree on things.   A very wide range of things.   And when this disagreement gets to elevated levels of hostility… over land boundaries… or genocide… or money ….  or egos….  this thing called war ensues.

I don’t like war one bit.  It only brings sadness, and loss.  It is cruel.  But I don’t know what the resolution could ever be.  Peace is the obvious answer.   But everyone has to be on board with peace.  Everyone.

And I don’t think that will ever happen in the existence of human beings.  In fact….  it is this inability which will most likely be the end to our civilization as we know it.  Hopefully not in our lifetimes, or our children’s children’s lifetimes.   There is that hope.

Today was Veterans Day.

As we all know, it is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces….. our Veterans who are called to duty in such wars.  My Dad.  Your son.  Our sisters, mothers, brothers, and all.

Always on November 11th.  To mark the anniversary of the end of World War I …..  at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.   At least, that is when the Armistice with Germany went in to effect.

So tonight, I say thank you to all the Veterans who have served.  All those fine men and women who have been called to answer the unanswerable.

They have been brave.  They have sacrificed.  They have seen things that shouldn’t be seen.  Yet….. I do not think we will ever see World Peace.

But I hope and pray, like I am sure my Dad did….. that we simply will see more peace IN this world.  Each and every day.  And that each one of us, can be an active part in creating peace with one another.  Every day.  For the more peace we create… the less we will be a part of this thing called of war.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.  –  Mother Teresa

It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.  –  Eleanor Roosevelt