Another Soldier Has Fallen…

As I passed by the cemetery today, I saw yet another soldier being planted. 

Another victim of the war machine? 

We were warned of Soviet aggression, yet how many wars has Russia caused since the fall of the Iron Curtain?

And as I paused for a moment of reflection, I penned a commentary on the endless wars that have plagued our world. Most, if not all, involved American soldiers—sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and grandfathers. 

The graveyard looked empty on this hot August morning. 

I saw no one but soldiers burying one of their comrades, stoic, no one around to shed a tear. No one to tell me the story of this hero’s death. 

I am here. 

I am here to share the untold stories, the hidden truths, and the consequences that ripple through generations. 

In the annals of time, wars have been fought, blood spilled, and lives shattered. From the ancient battlefields to the modern theaters of conflict, the echoes of war reverberate through history. But amidst the chaos and destruction, we must pause and ask ourselves, what have we truly gained?

Wars are born from a multitude of reasons—ideological differences, territorial disputes, greed for power, or the quest for resources. They ignite with fervor, fueled by the drumbeats of propaganda and the cries for justice. But as the dust settles and the smoke clears, we are left with the bitter truth that wars often beget more wars.

Endless wars, like an insidious cycle, consume the lives of the young and the innocent. They drain the spirit of nations and breed a culture of violence. Families torn apart, homes reduced to rubble, and dreams shattered in an unforgiving tide of conflict. And for what? In the pursuit of peace, how many more lives shall we sacrifice?

It is said that war is a necessary evil, a means to an end. But let us not forget the scars that are etched upon the souls of those who have witnessed its horrors. The veterans, haunted by the memories of comrades lost, bear the weight of their sacrifice long after the battles have subsided.

Yet, amidst the darkness, there are glimmers of hope. The yearning for peace, the tireless efforts of diplomats, and the resilience of communities striving to rebuild. It is in these moments that we find the strength to rise above the ashes of conflict and seek a brighter future.

Let us remember that the true cost of war extends far beyond the battlefields. It infiltrates our collective consciousness, shaping our worldview and perpetuating a cycle of violence. We must strive for dialogue, understanding, and empathy as we navigate the complex tapestry of human existence.

In the words of Paul Harvey, "In times like these, it is easy to forget that there have always been times like these." But let us not forget the lessons of the past. Let us forge a path towards peace, where diplomacy triumphs over aggression, and the echoes of war are replaced with the harmony of understanding.

For in the end, it is not the endless wars that define us, but our capacity to rise above them—to embrace our shared humanity and create a world where the pursuit of peace is paramount. May we find the courage to break the chains of history, and in doing so, ensure that future generations shall never be burdened with the weight of endless wars. And that, my friends, is the rest of the story.

If—by Rudyard Kipling

 If

By Rudyard Kipling 

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same:.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!