Armistice:  “A pause in a war, brought about by agreement between the two sides; a truce”  (Webster’s Elementary Dictionary, 1941).
An armistice was signed at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, 1918 to mark the end of World War I. In 1926, the United States Congress “passed a resolution for an annual observance” of Armistice Day. Twelve years later, the United States Congress passed the Act of 1938. November 11th was “dedicated to the cause of world peace”.
World War II and the Korean War forced our Congress to reflect. In 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day. United States soldiers continue to fight in wars. The last time Congress declared war, however, was on June 4,1942. We declared war with Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. Acting with moral integrity is not one of our government’s strong suits.
Peace and veterans have interacted in an organization called Veterans for Peace. Here is their statement of purpose: “We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work with others to increase public awareness of the costs of war; to restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations; to end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons; to seek justice for veterans and victims of war; and to abolish war as an instrument of national policy.”
If you are so moved, send a donation to Veterans for Peace, 1404 North Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102.
Patricia Heather-Lea
Bristol