War is cruelty

I'm not sure how I feel about these pictures cycling about online today -- November 11. This is a troubling picture -- the fact the soldiers are not Canadian is unimportant.

There is bravery and honour in the military -- that was, in part, why I signed on for the Reserves.

But war is not a positive thing.

War always kills and worse yet injures dreadfully.

As a child my father told me that a soldier does not fear dying as much as being maimed. I always remember that.

Sometimes war is forced upon a nation, and other times there are reasons to fight that justify the violence, but in general we must always remember what General William Tecumseh Sherman said:

"You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace."

Sherman knew that war "is hell" and knew we must strive for peace. War is the last resort -- that does not mean war is never to be fought but it does mean that war is to be fought only when there is no other option.