By Jerry Haferkamp
It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918. The German surrender took place in the railway carriage of French General Ferdinand Foch. This act signified the end of World War I, the “War to end all wars”. When it ended, an estimated 13 million soldiers were dead or missing. Of course, it wasn’t really the end of all wars. In fact, when Germany forced the surrender of the French in World War II, Hitler thought it poetic justice that the French surrender in that same rail carriage.
There have been wars since the beginning of time. When people can’t come to a resolution of their differences, wars and killing are sometimes the result. Probably the first reference to this is when Cain killed his brother in the Garden of Eden and it progressed as time went on.
War always spawns the “anti-war” protesters. The only “pro-war” faction that I can think of would be war profiteers. In the past, they were punished. Today, they are rewarded with military contracts. No one I know is “pro-war”, not even those who support the current war.
The most “anti-war” people I can think of are the brave men and women in our military. No on hates war more than the ones who could ultimately die in war, these men and women. But to protect our way of life and bring freedom to millions, they answer the call. Whether their assignment is in a safe area or in the teeth of the fight, they would all probably rather be at home having dinner with their families.
On Sunday, Veterans’ Day, there will be an opportunity for all of us to give thanks to our protectors. On that day, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a ceremony will be held at the Veterans’ Memorial monument on our riverfront. The monument is located adjacent to the boathouse/museum at the foot of Boone’s Lick Road.
Attending won’t mean you are supporting this or any other war. It means you are supporting those who served when called. Come down and show our veterans you care. They certainly care for you.
That’s the view from the cheap seats.
