On Veteran's Day

I always have very mixed feelings on Veteran's Day. I don't believe in war, and think it is an archaic way of trying to solve problems that creates pain and misery on a grand scale for everyone involved (which means every being on this planet). My heart goes out to the soldiers and their families. I don't know what it is like to have a child in the armed services, nor do I understand what it is like to use violence against another person to achieve something.

My wish this Veteran's Day is that we as a country, as a world, and as a race find peaceful ways to answer questions. That rather than focusing on fighting for what isn't ours, instead of trying to claim what never can be claimed, we work in unison to solve problems. If not for us, then for future generations.

This is a poem I read today from this very old little poetry book I have from 1916 called "A Heap O'Livin' " by Edgar A. Guest.

The Peaceful Warriors

"Let others sing their songs of war and chant their hymns of splendid death,
Let others praise the soldiers' ways and hail the cannon's flaming breath.
Let others sing of Glory's fields where blood for Victory is paid,
I choose to sing some simple thing to those who wield not gun or blade-
The peaceful warriors of the trade.

Let others choose the deeds of war for symbols of our nation's skill,
The blood-red coat, the rattling throat, the regiment that charged the hill,
The boy who died to serve the flag, who heard the order and obeyed,
But leave to me the gallantry of those who labor unafraid-
The peaceful warriors of the trade.

Aye, let me sing the splendid deeds of those who toil to serve mankind,
The men who break old ways and make new paths for those who come behind.
The young who war with customs old and face their problems, unafraid,
Who think and plan to lift for man the burden that on him is laid-
The splendid warriors of trade.

I sing the battles with disease and victories o'er death and pain,
Of ships that fly the summer sky, and glorious deeds of strength and brain.
The call for help that rings through space by which a vessel's course is stayed,
Thrills me far more than fields of gore, or heroes decked in golden braid-
I sing the warriors of trade."