In Response to Veterans Day

This traditional gospel song seemed a fitting response for the holiday. Until 1954, this day was known as Armistice Day, which commemorated the end of World War I. While I am a pacifist, I am also someone who would have us commemorate the cessation of hostilities that we might reflect upon the brutality of combat, rather than justify its continued existence. Bravery in the face of death shows the persistence of courage and unselfishness, but I long for a time where it will be needless.

War does not only negatively impact the soldier on the ground. One needs only examine a genocide to know that. The concept of Total War as realized in the 20th Century drew no distinction between combatant and civilian and we are still processing the consequences. Regarding today, specifically, it was ninety-two years ago that a cease-fire between two warring powers was signed at the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th month. In four terrible years, 16 million people lost their lives and 21 million people were wounded. This figure includes soldiers and civilians.

Sing along, if you know it.



Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.

Gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside.

And I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.

Gonna put on that long white robe
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside

Gonna put on that long white robe
Down by the riverside
and study war no more

And I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.

Gonna put on that starry crown
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside

Gonna put on that starry crown
Down by the riverside
and study war no more

And I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.

Gonna walk with the Prince of Peace
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside

I'm gonna walk with the Prince of Peace
Down by the riverside
and study war no more

And I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more.