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 and when it was, then click and read it all.
I was thinking Ike or Truman, but Kennedy was following closely that generation with service in the second great war.
Lloyd Bentsen accused Dan Quale of not being a “John F. Kennedy.” Everyone looking at Democrats vs. Republicans was missing the boat with that remark (I include Bentsen, as well). There was a brief period when privilege, real or assumed, submitted to service. Not so much of that among today’s leaders and I don’t expect to see it rise.
#1–Only 20% of the current Congress are Veterans. That should speak volumes. I believe they are constantly at one another’s throats because they are spoiled elitists who want their own way and have never had to work together for a common goal or objective. There are no real leaders because no one knows how to lead. And the current administration’s leaders despise the military. Even Hagel and Kerry, who should know better.