This is what the front campus of the University of Toronto looks like today, Remembrance Day 2008. This is the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Each cross bears the name of one of 628 alumni, students, or faculty members who died in World War I. It reminds us of what happens when we fail to resolve our differences peacefully. War is the failure of peace.
The crosses remind us that war is evil and horrible. All of these lives were wasted in a war that never should have happened. War is not glorious. War is not something we should be proud of even though we may honor those individuals who answered the call, and sacrificed their lives, when the politicians and diplomats failed to do their duty.
A lift of my dog tags (which I've carried for nearly 50 years since they were issued to me in basic training) to them.
ReplyDeleteVery true, war is awful. I was pleased when my son returned from Iraq in one piece, physically and mentally. In WW1, Australia, with a population of around 4 million, lost over 60000 dead and probably as many maimed or badly damaged in mind or limb. An appalling cost today, utterly staggering then.
ReplyDeleteBoth sides went into battle with the prayers of Christian chaplains echoing in their ears.
As it turned out, 11 Nov, 1918 was just the start of half time. The second half began in 1939.