“Let Us Beat Swords into plowshares” “Tragedy of War”-Michael LaPalme
Veterans’ Day, November 11
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I (called the Great War) ends.
From a Litany for Veterans by Robb McCoy-“God of love, peace and justice, it is your will for the world that we may live together in peace. You have promised through the prophet Isaiah that one day the swords will be beaten into plow shares. Yet we live in a broken world, and there are times that war seems inevitable. Let us recognize with humility and sadness the tragic loss of life that comes in war. Even so, as we gather here free from persecution, we may give thanks for those that have served with courage and honor. ” Here is an English Veterans’ Service.
All gave some, Some gave all.
The Theology of Veterans’ Day
While the US has “Veterans’ Day” celebrating and honoring all veterans who have served, Europe and Canada has “Remembrance Day” about the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem “In Flanders Fields”. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I; their brilliant red color became a symbol for the blood spilled in the war.
Mark Knopfler wrote “Remembrance Day” about this day. The song and illustrated slideshow are here .
From “Remembrance Day”
“Time has slipped away The Summer sky to Autumn yields A haze of smoke across the fields Let’s sup and fight another round And walk the stubbled ground
“When November brings The poppies on Remembrance Day When the vicar comes to say May God bless everyone Lest we forget our sons
“We will remember them Remember them Remember them”