Friday, November 10, 2006

The 11th Hour of the 11th Day

I was once asked why I remembered Armistice Day (11th November) and why it affected me so. My answer was simple. It signified the end of the First World War and the deaths of so many young men, not unlike myself. It could be called living in the past. Anyone using that argument is met with the following;

George Santayana: Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.

War is an ugly thing, it cares little for honour or humanity. Over sixty years ago Hitler decided to 'purify' the human race and killed millions because they did not meet his standards. Men from all walks of life, every colour and creed, stepped forward and fought back. Many men died fighting to protect what they believed in. Today it is not so different; men and women take up arms for their country.

Plato said "Only the dead have seen the end of war." That might be an unfortunate truth, but as long as our way of life is threatened, we will still fight. On the 11th, stop and take the time to reflect on times past. I was born 23 years ago on the 11th day of the 11th month, a happy event on one of our darkest days from history.

for the few, those courageous few,

Alex.

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