Why War?

I marched in two ANZAC Day ceremonies this morning as part of my Brownie Leader duties. Actually I didn’t have to march but my daughters needed to in order to earn their ANZAC Heritage badges. And since they are in two different units we went to two different parades and I decided to join the ranks of the marchers.

The first parade was short and sweet. We walked about 50 metres and then stood there in the road listening to a speaker and pastor “remember the dead.” We sang a hymn or two along with the National Anthem. It was all over in less than 30 minutes. Afterward we went into the War Memorial Hall and had morning tea which was supplied by the Girl Guides. I thought it was interesting to see that the bar was opened and that many men in uniform availed themselves of the alcoholic beverages even though it was only 9:30AM.

The next parade I went to was much bigger with the entire community and people from surrounding areas there to show their support. Even though it was supposed to be a sombre event, the crowds that lined the streets waved and smiled at the people they recognised marching. We then sat through an hour of speeches, hymns, and the laying of wreaths.

I wondered as I sat amongst all these children if they understood what this was all about. I doubt it. I think most of the Girl Guides were just there to earn a new pretty badge for their sash. None of them would have close relatives who had gone to war or know anyone who had died in an overseas conflict.

I count myself lucky as I don’t know of any relatives who have died in a war. My father and oldest brother are both retired US Navy Officers. My father served in Korea and Vietnam and my brother was on a nuclear submarine during the Gulf War. I think many people my age wouldn’t know anyone that has gone to war, which is how it should be.

I don’t understand the concept of war. People who don’t start the argument are sent off to a foreign place to battle it out on behalf of their leaders. And who suffers? The people that didn’t start the war in the first place. Is that fair? Who is to say what is right and what is wrong? I have no hatred or anger towards others. I cannot say that someone in a foreign country is wrong because their culture is different from mine. I cannot hate someone because they think or look differently than I do. It is not our place to decide which people are better than others. We are all people living on one planet. We should embrace our differences and learn from each other.

Maybe it is just because I am a woman, or maybe the way I have grown up, but I don’t see any reason to fight. Use your minds to solve problems as a problem only exists in one’s mind. Some may say I am naïve and you can’t simply solve a major conflict by talking, but why not? Isn’t that how conflicts start? And why should people who have nothing to do with the problem have to suffer? Put the politicians, religious leaders, or who ever is at the top of the ladder in a room and let them sort it out. I bet if you gave them a case of wine or spirits they would all be singing each others praises within an hour.

ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance. I think we should remember that we are all the same within – we all bleed red blood and die just like everyone else. My favourite band is the Beatles and I agree with them when they said Let it Be. Why can’t we just let others be?