Within history’s embrace there are many flags held-high by the arms of sacrifice and honor – each telling a story of great and glorious nations. Three flags fly over the graves of those lost within this nation’s great story: All lost were her sons. This is an old tale, perhaps told world-wide for over thirty-five thousand years. It’s the same old story; the results are forever the same - war creating casualties from those who are loved – some holding on, way too many letting go. Take some time and journey with me – when our trip is done, think of those lost – but most importantly hope we can embrace the great worth of others and put an end to war.
He was cold and hungry, without shoes, little ammunition for his rifle and terrified knowing the task lying in front of him. His fear was not enough to push his sense of duty aside. He believed in the cause of this battle and hoped these United States would emerge safe, free, and independent. He found himself inside Yorktown, he spotted the British soldier just yards ahead of him. He raised his rifle and felt a deep burning and then waves of memories and the echo of a voice. As he died he heard his mother whispering, “I love you my son. Please come home to me.” He didn’t. There were 72 Americans killed and 180 wounded. It was September 30th, 1781. Will war never end?
He was cold and hungry, without shoes, little ammunition for his rifle and terrified knowing the task lying in front of him. His fear was not enough to push his sense of duty aside. He believed in the cause of this battle and hoped the Confederacy would emerge safe, free, and independent. He had advanced what seemed like miles on those fields of Gettysburg, in his sights were the Union soldiers standing with rifles held-high and cannons roaring. He stopped, raised his rifle and aimed. It was then he was surrounded by pain and memories. As he died he heard his father’s voice, “I love you my son. Please come home to me.” He didn’t. There were 48,000 “American” casualties. It was July 3rd, 1863. Will war never end?
He was cold and hungry, choked by wisps of gas and terrified knowing the task lying in front of him. His fear was not enough to push his sense of duty aside. He believed in the cause of this battle and hoped the world would emerge safe and free. The long-days and nights of battle were about to draw to a close on the “Hundred Days Offensive.” He stepped out of his vehicle and dropped to his knees, raising his weapon he targeted a window only yards away. He felt nothing as the bullet ripped through his heart. Lying still he could hear his wife’s voice and her whisper, “I love you - please don’t leave me.” He did. There were 1,855,369 total casualties spanning those 100 days. It was September 11, 1918 - 127,000 were America’s sons. Will war never end?
We know full well the stench of war and yet there has yet to be a day of united-peace since humankind has walked this earth. War can never be justified, no matter the cause – for the waste of war are always the children of life. Listen to the whisper of History and then sit in silence and remember: Zama, Marathon, Crusades, Trenton, Gettysburg, and Normandy. Hundreds — in fact thousands — of years have passed and we find ourselves here - March 13, 2013 – listen, history continues her whisper – “Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria.” Will war never end?
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