11th November 2005
They called it the war to end all wars, but where is the end to the war? For every life given in service from any country for any ruler has been given for freely for what we believed to be right, just and true. Yet every life that has been given is a life ignored while there is still war in the world and while man still dies in combat at the hands of man. There is no final conflict in a war to end all wars and while there is much talk of winning the war, the battle for peace is lost. For there is no peace until those that we have fought for lay down their arms.
We fought to set an example - yet our example has been misunderstood. In laying down our lives we hoped to demonstrate the shocking horrors of war, to bring that way a lasting peace. Yet the example that is followed is one of taking up arms. This does not happen only in wars but frequently violence and conflict is seen as a remedy for other disputes and more common disagreements. We did not intend to give our lives so that the killing would continue. We feel strongly that the lives of those that served should not be wasted - we feel strongly that we should not have given our lives in vain.
The war to end all wars is not done - there is talk of two world wars but it is more - until there is a long, meaningful and lasting peace, the world wars have not finished; only the location changes. The damage caused by conflict, whether it affects people directly or not is still there - it is still worldwide, for it damages the human spirit as a whole and conflict creates the sores that fester painfully in the beautiful world that should be valued and treasured.
Each of you left in our wake carries our freedom, our honour and our sacrifice within the peace and freedom that you seek. It is not as elusive as it might seem.
The peace that we offered when we laid down our lives is still within reach and is only kept away by the weapons and arms that are still taken up every day all around the world. There is no honour in war; there is only honour in the hearts of those who would seek peace - whether they take up arms for their country or whether they are pacifists - intention and thought are a good start, yet the action that is taken will make the difference.
It is not too late to remember the war to end all wars and make sure that this adage rings true in lasting peace.
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