I realize that days like this stir up a great deal of patriotism. Any holiday that honors service men and women must, or it wouldn’t be worth waving flags and closing banks.

Even though I’m a veteran in a family full of them, I believe in elevating peace. I favor peacemakers above those who declare, design and prosecute war.

My 2nd-great-grandfather served and died during the Civil War. His name was Elkanah Brown (1833-1864). He died from illness before the war ended. He served in the Union Army as a member of the Indiana 99th Infantry. When Elkanah died, his only son was seven.

Both my grandfathers served (Marines and Army). Dad and Uncle Bob were Navy. Uncle Wayne, Air Force. I was Navy. The whole list is much longer, stretching from the American War of Independence to my nephew Josh.

In a quiet way, I’m proud of our family’s history of military service.

I’m remembering men and women today who served in the Armed Services. Their military service calls for a great deal of gratitude.

In spite of that and in no-way to diminish it, I state what I hope to be obvious—that solving problems peacefully deserves our highest honor. Isn’t that so? Is it not worth cheers and waving flags when peace is made without bearing arms?

Food for thought from unarmed artists—both of these men wrote about war and peace. Both suffered and were worn down by the pain our violent world delivered:

Stefan Zweig wrote, “. . . more men had perhaps escaped into the war then from it.”

Phil Ochs sang, “It’s always the old to lead us to the war. It’s always the young to fall."

Happy Armistice Day.


Image: Elkanah Brown (photo courtesy of my cousin, Ed T.)