I anticipate and dread Nov. 11. I am one of Canada's lucky ones. I came home from war. I have "adjusted and reintegrated," hopefully matured and changed for the better. Yet, the war will never leave me.
I anticipate this day as I remember those I served with - their faces, their tears and laughter, their strengths, their foibles and their courage. Long past the time when empire, flag and glory are but a faded watermark, the rich parchment like memory of those on my left and right will remain.
I dread this day as I remember those who were killed or injured. Not a day goes by that I do not recall the "19" - the soldiers who died on my rotation. Then there were so many wounded that with a sense of shame, I confess I cannot remember all of their names or faces. They seem lost in rivers of blood that flowed from the Role 3 Combat Hospital. Then there are those veterans today - still wounded in body or mind attempting to recapture their life, sometimes forgotten and often alone.
Jesus wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. Join us in the Nov. 11 weeping and amidst the tears let your prayers soar forth for that great and glorious day when the nations of the world (we the people) shall indeed feed the hungry as opposed to making rifles and educate all the world's children as opposed to designing more effective missiles, neither shall we lift up arms against another nation, nor shall we study war any more.
Jim Short can be reached at [email protected].
