The past has gone and we cannot change it, but to remember, is a thing that restrains and brings resolve.
1914 - 1918 was a time that we would like to forget in general terms, BUT we don't forget because it is seared into Great Britain's memory. Why remember? well equally the question Why forget ? because if we ever forget or lack respect for the thousands who did, then we are close to it happening again. It's memory keeps us humble, reminds us that we are not invincible and that war is not a good thing, that we should not rush into war.
In recent times we have seen the cost of war for our boys in Afghanistan, and although a different kind of war, the outcome for them as individuals has been an ongoing reality that I find in one way inspiring, but in another way I dislike the fact that it had to happen.
In 14 - 18 our boys believed in what they were doing initially, but I wonder what those who survived to the end thought and what their conclusions were. The youth of many fighting is something I have come to understand. Many the age or younger than my nephew, now 18, mainly because they lied about their ages.
So we remember because we don't want war, and children must not fight, as we are seeing now in Iraq.
Using children to fight when they don't understand what they are getting into, even if they believe they will be martyrs, is just as bad as the Nazi concentration camps, is not the way of civilised society or compassionate society.
So this armistice day we will remember the ones who never made it home and know that we will never forget as long as it is in our power to remember.
1914 - 1918 was a time that we would like to forget in general terms, BUT we don't forget because it is seared into Great Britain's memory. Why remember? well equally the question Why forget ? because if we ever forget or lack respect for the thousands who did, then we are close to it happening again. It's memory keeps us humble, reminds us that we are not invincible and that war is not a good thing, that we should not rush into war.
In recent times we have seen the cost of war for our boys in Afghanistan, and although a different kind of war, the outcome for them as individuals has been an ongoing reality that I find in one way inspiring, but in another way I dislike the fact that it had to happen.
In 14 - 18 our boys believed in what they were doing initially, but I wonder what those who survived to the end thought and what their conclusions were. The youth of many fighting is something I have come to understand. Many the age or younger than my nephew, now 18, mainly because they lied about their ages.
So we remember because we don't want war, and children must not fight, as we are seeing now in Iraq.
Using children to fight when they don't understand what they are getting into, even if they believe they will be martyrs, is just as bad as the Nazi concentration camps, is not the way of civilised society or compassionate society.
So this armistice day we will remember the ones who never made it home and know that we will never forget as long as it is in our power to remember.
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