In a world tormented by tension and the possibilities of conflict, we meet in a quiet commemoration of an historic day of peace. In an age that threatens the survival of freedom, we join together to honor those who made our freedom possible. The resolution of the Congress which first proclaimed Armistice Day, described November 11, 1918, as the end of “the most destructive, sanguinary and far-reaching war in the history of human annals.” That resolution expressed the hope that the First World War would be, in truth, the war to end all wars. It suggested that those men who had died had therefore not given their lives in vain.
It is a tragic fact that these hopes have not been fulfilled, that wars still more destructive and still more sanguinary followed, that man’s capacity to devise new ways of killing his fellow men have far outstripped his capacity to live in peace with his fellow men.Some might say, therefore, that this day has lost its meaning, that the shadow of the new and deadly weapons have robbed this day of its great value, that whatever name we now give this day, whatever flags we fly or prayers we utter, it is too late to honor those who died before, and too soon to promise the living an end to organized death.
But let us not forget that November 11, 1918, signified a beginning, as well as an end. “The purpose of all war,” said Augustine, “is peace.” The First World War produced man’s first great effort in recent times to solve by international cooperation the problems of war. That experiment continues in our present day — still imperfect, still short of its responsibilities, but it does offer a hope that some day nations can live in harmony.
For our part, we shall achieve that peace only with patience and perseverance and courage — the patience and perseverance necessary to work with allies of diverse interests but common goals, the courage necessary over a long period of time to overcome…[a skilled adversary].
Do please take a guess as to who it is, then click and read it all.
Unfortunately, today serves as another example of gross disconnect from the common man held by our president. When President Kennedy gave this speech, he was speaking to our country by his presence, his words, and his deeds. He had great respect for our veterans because he was one. He knew the sacrifices, he knew the solidarity of his command however small, he knew the veterans who had given all by seeing them do so. Our current president is so disconnected from the American people that he can not arrange his schedule to not only give a speech, but to show his appreciation by being with the veterans and their families today. I understand he gave a speech in South Korea, but what about here at Arlington National Cemetery. He shows by his actions that he has no respect for not only our veterans, but for the entire American people as well. Why isn’t he here, wearing a red poppy that the VFW has on every Veterans Day? It seems he just doesn’t care. Most Americans are thankful for our country and will show that in some small way. By donating to the VFW and wearing that red poppy or by saying thanks to a veteran that they pass on the street today the average citizen will say thanks.
As the Commander in Chief, you would think that our president would arrange his schedule so that he might lead Americans in giving thanks by showing his respect for our sacrifices. Where is the president today, making a speech in South Korea. Why isn’t he at Arlington today? My thoughts are that he is so caught up in himself that he just doesn’t care, so he sends a stand in. Our president is so disconnected that he feels he knows what our people want. He is not trying to govern our country, he is trying to RULE it. There is a big difference in governing and ruling. Either monarchs or dictators rule. Which one does our president think he is?
On this day, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918 the guns fell silent on the Western Front. The butcher’s bill: 15 million military and civilian deaths. http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm
#1 — The G20 conference was not scheduled with our Veteran’s Day observance in mind. The President of the United States must be in attendance.
#3 – with all due respect, I would say that a majority of the G20 observe Armistice Day or Remembrance Day either on or near 11/11. Granted, for some, the sacrifices of the living and the dead are irrelevant – it really is a matter of priorities, isn’t it?
As I watched the Remembrance Day Service on Parliament Hill in Ottawa I wondered why Prime Minister Harper wasn’t there to lay a wreath. But then I remembered how he too is at the G20. Optics aside, I believe that is where he and Obama ought to be. It’s easy to question our leaders’ motives for choosing to be there instead of at their respective national ceremonies but maybe we can lay off the partisan criticism on this solemn day. Yes, observing November 11th is important but if what our veterans fought for is to have any lasting value our remembering will also involve taking action to see that such sacrifice isn’t required again. Just maybe because of the G20 conversations going on in South Korea some future wars over territory, resources or what have you will be avoided.
#5 That may be true BUT in Canada (and the UK which also had its Prime Minister at the G20) only the “Head of Government” is away. The Head of State (Queen in the UK and Governor General in Canada) is attending the Ceremonies. Here in the US, the “Head of State” is the President. So, it is a very different thing for the Prime Minister’s of the UK and Canada to miss the ceremonies since there is somebody “above their pay grade” to attend. The President’s absence forced him to delegate the “duty” to a subordinate, the Vice-President.
#1, Folks can also donate to the American Legion (and Auxiliary) and get a Poppy!! (GRIN!!)
Recchip (#6), with respect to your reference to the GG of Canada as the “head of state”, perhaps you missed this tidbit of news from a year ago:
http://www.canada.com/news/Governor+General+calling+herself+head+state+riles+monarchists/2077884/story.html
In terms of participation in something like a Remembrance Day ceremony, I don’t think most Canadians (I am one) would draw the same distinction you have between the President and the PM (regardless of the technicalities). Especially so as the new GG is still largely unknown by most Canadians.
I was in a unique position to participate in a joint Remembrance/Veteran’s Day ceremony earlier today with roughly an even balance of Americans and Canadians in attendance.