November 11th in France is a holiday known as Le Jour de Souvenir, or Le Jour de l'Armistice: banks are closed and parades held as the nation remembers the Armistice signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1919. Honor is paid to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier buried beneath the Arche de Triomphe in Paris.
Much the same takes place in the United States on what is now called Veterans Day in order to include those who have died in all wars, not just The War to end All Wars. People wear paper poppies to commemorate the fields of poppies that sprung up where the fighting took place and the lime spilt on the fields encouraged the growth of these blood red flowers.
98 years from the Armistice, violence, warfare even more insidious that the brutality of the four years when millions were slaughtered still take place. War has definitely proved it is not the solution to conflict. The teachings of Jesus about forgiveness and love neighbor and loveof enemies 2000 years later have not been seriously heeded either. Until they are, there will be no lasting Armistice.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, help us to establish a lasting peace among all peoples, and may God grant eternal rest to all who have given their lives for their countries.
Bro. Rene
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