Veterans Day 2018

Today is Veterans Day in the United States, Remembrance Day in some other countries.

Let's step back in time, back 100 years ago on this date in 1918.  At 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was signed with Germany, bringing to a close the 'war to end all wars.' This four-year war cost tens of millions of lives, both military and civilian. The Allies saw more than 6 million deaths, with another 4 million dying on the other side. Millions of civilians died of starvation and disease brought about by wartime conditions, and the flu pandemic took countless other lives.

Although exact numbers vary, Wikipedia states that "The total number of combined military and civilian casualties during World War I was about 40 million: estimates range from 15 to 19  million deaths and about 23 million wounded military personnel, ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history."

While many people think only of American, English and German combatants, troops from India, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Russia, Romania and Serbia fought on the Allied side. Fighting alongside Germany were troops from Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire.

On this day, the centennial of the cessation of hostilities, let us pause to remember all those who died fighting 'the Great War." Don't be like the current US president, who flew to France to attend ceremonies marking the end of World War I but who couldn't be bothered to visit an American cemetery in France because it was raining. Other world leaders managed to get there with no problems. Remember the men who fought and died in the rain and the mud of France, Belgium and other European countries. Remember those who suffered the horrors of mustard gas attacks. Please take a minute to remember those who died, those who were injured and those who suffered from starvation and disease brought about by wartime conditions.

I know, 1918 is generations removed from those of us now living. It is ancient history to many. There are no surviving veterans of 'the Great War.'  But remember that American military personnel continue to serve in harm's way, in Iraq, in Afghanistan and in many more countries. Men and women continue to get up every day and don a military uniform, regardless of where they serve or what jobs they hold. My former son-in-law is on active duty with the US Air Force. Veterans still live among us, veterans from World War II, the Korean Conflict, Viet Nam, and conflicts in the Middle East.

Don't be a coward like the US president. Stand proudly to honor all veterans, following the examples set by Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau, who put away his umbrella and stood in the rain as he spoke of the sacrifices of generations of soldiers and sailors. Take a lesson from the leaders of France and Germany who stood together, hand in hand in the rain, to pledge that never again will their countries go to war with each other. 

Remember all who sacrificed, including some 16 millions four-footed animals -- horses, dogs, mules, donkeys, cats and even camels and elephants -- with the lives of 9 million tragically cut short by war. Their sacrifices have gone untold for far too long. The 'Great War' ended the lives of so many. Let us remember and honor all of them today.