There are many people out there who witter on endlessly about how every November we deny the truth and make heroes out of people who gave their lives worthlessly in the name of making war look noble and worthy of praise. Of course, we don't do that but (working on the assumption that these people either wear slip-ons or get their Mums to do their laces) those who write that sort of stuff seem to think it's true.
The reality is that those who serve do the bidding of the politicians and seek to bring peace and 'do their duty'. The solutions are never military, even when the military have been involved, but are political and soldiers don't start wars, but the certainly have an important place in ending them (and Law of Armed Conflict means that we do so with the minimum loss of life too!).
I've been thinking about what Remembrance is and have realised that it's a hatful of 'R's'.
Remembrance
For if we forget we are condemned to repeat whatever brought us to conflict
For if we forget those who died in conflict (regardless of the situation) them and their sacrifice is soon forgotten.
For if we forget what others have done for us, then we take for granted what is before us (often as a result of what others have done).
Reconciliation
Remembrance is the beginning of reconciliation.
Having seen RAF and Luftwaffe veterans remember their fallen and then, united by the remembering, drink together and find they were no different from the other.
The same with soldiers and sailors in the same setting (but I've not experienced it in the Far East context!) for there is a common bond between those who have served, even when it was against each other and this fosters reconciliation and from that comes forgiveness.
Restoration
Restoration begins with making human those who were dehumanised and seeing them as human, forgiving them as well! In reconciling we have the foundations for restoration of moral and spiritual elements which mean that the likelihood of such happenings that litter our past just that little less likely.
Renewal
I have seen men and women, when faced by all of the above, find that they are not only spiritual beings, but broken spiritual beings. They see in themselves the needs that are met at the foot of the Cross and seeing themselves as Christ sees them, they can be healed, restored and renwed.
Don't ever let anyone tell you remembrance is about glorifying war, it is a mirror to our frailties and potentially the first step of the journey that leads to the Cross and healing for the individual and for our nations.
Pax
ps. the dog-collar in the picture is me by the way - that's my office photo' :)
1 comment:
Vic,
Thanks for this. I believe that Remembrance is also about making us value the peace, which we have been blessed with for the past 60 years.
I know that we have had wars of sorts around the world, which we have participated in, but in general, apart from IRA and some extremist terrorism, the country has been blessed to be at peace for a long period. Now, the generations who lived through the last world ware are passing, so it is beholden on us to continue to remember the sacrifices made in our names.
I've just read the Diary of Sergeant Bill Rose, who was a POW of the Japanese from 1942 to 1945, he was a parishioner in our benefice who died a few months ago.
He tried to block out what happened to him until one of his sons actually brought home a Japanese bride. For Bill, this was a seminal moment. He went on to forgive, although not to forget. His diaries were published and he embarked on a process of reconciliation, which included visits to Japan to the places where he had been held and used as Slave Labour. At his funeral the Japanese Ambassador and others came to mark their respect for the work he had done in trying to bring some closure between former enemies.
Due to Bill's work, a relationship was established between our benefice and the place in Japan where he was held. This has resulted in several exchange visits mainly of school children over the years.
I have been privileged to lead two Acts of Remembrance in the past two years. They mean much to me, having served and have also lost comrades who served and died doing their duty. It is a poignant moment during the two minutes silence and for the last post.
Although retired, I have permission to wear uniform on these occasions and do so with both pride and sadness in respect for those we have lost.
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