Confessional Lutheran theology, hagiography, philosophy, music, culture, sports, education,
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11 November 2008
Veterans' Day
Eleven, Eleven, Eleven
In parts of the world, including these United States, 11 November is a day of remembrance growing out of the end of World War I. It grew from the armistice ending western European hostilities in the First World War. This post's subtitle comes from the implementation of the armistice at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month — that is, at 11:00 a.m. GMT on 11 November 1918.
Originally known as Armistice Day (and still called this by some) the United States expanded the emphasis from gratitude for the end of the "War to End All Wars" to remembering and thanking all of our honorably discharged military personnel. The US holiday was officially established as Veterans Day in 1954.
Spiritually, the "Great War" of the early 1900s ended much positive thinking about the upward climb of mankind and helped usher in the era of Modernism. The harshness of the "peace" which followed led to renewed hatred and hostilities in Europe. Coupled with the Great Depression, this helped to begin events leading to the Second World War.
The false hope much of the world, including many Christians, held for a utopian earth with no more armed conflict perished on the battlefields of these two world conflicts along with thousands upon thousands of armed combatants and millions of civilians. Wars and rumors of wars continue to testify against this fallen Creation and point to the final end of conflict, when our Savior returns in judgment.
We will still remember those who served honorably to defend the ideals upon which our Republic was founded. We will also continue to pray that America would return to much she has forgotten about both individual freedom and the interdependence of all citizens in a free society.
Technorati Tags: Veterans' Day | Armistice Day | First World War | World War One | World War I | world history | holidays | American history | United States history | military service | vets | church and state | Aardvark Alley ¶ 11:11 |
In parts of the world, including these United States, 11 November is a day of remembrance growing out of the end of World War I. It grew from the armistice ending western European hostilities in the First World War. This post's subtitle comes from the implementation of the armistice at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month — that is, at 11:00 a.m. GMT on 11 November 1918.Originally known as Armistice Day (and still called this by some) the United States expanded the emphasis from gratitude for the end of the "War to End All Wars" to remembering and thanking all of our honorably discharged military personnel. The US holiday was officially established as Veterans Day in 1954.
Spiritually, the "Great War" of the early 1900s ended much positive thinking about the upward climb of mankind and helped usher in the era of Modernism. The harshness of the "peace" which followed led to renewed hatred and hostilities in Europe. Coupled with the Great Depression, this helped to begin events leading to the Second World War.
The false hope much of the world, including many Christians, held for a utopian earth with no more armed conflict perished on the battlefields of these two world conflicts along with thousands upon thousands of armed combatants and millions of civilians. Wars and rumors of wars continue to testify against this fallen Creation and point to the final end of conflict, when our Savior returns in judgment.
We will still remember those who served honorably to defend the ideals upon which our Republic was founded. We will also continue to pray that America would return to much she has forgotten about both individual freedom and the interdependence of all citizens in a free society.
Technorati Tags: Veterans' Day | Armistice Day | First World War | World War One | World War I | world history | holidays | American history | United States history | military service | vets | church and state | Aardvark Alley ¶ 11:11 |
