Letter to the Editor: Make Peace, Not War

A deepfelt thanks to Myles Dannhausen Jr., for sharing his mother’s family story that appeared in the May 24th edition. Entitled “The Hidden Casualties of War,” it brought home that in honoring our veterans on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Veteran’s Day or in the recent commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we need to be mindful not only of the sacrifice of the veterans, but of the loss inflicted on the families – a loss often measured in multiple generations.

As Mr. Dannhausen points out, those who beat the drums in urging us to war do not have our best interests in mind. They are frequently intent on their own misguided material or political gain. The gigantic investment our country has made in armaments and “defense” have made the slope into conflict all the more slippery. Too often, these bureaucrats with the loudest voices have the least military experience, if any, so their talk is cheap. In the din, how can we “give peace a chance?”

The world’s great religions are based on a belief in God and in goodness. The virtues that make us better are reflected in patience, kindness, compassion, and love, that are common to all religions. Common, yes, but not always practiced. To quote the highest institution of the youngest of the world religions: “It is through love for all people, and by subordinating lesser loyalties to the best interests of humankind, that the unity [and peace] of the world can be realized and the infinite expressions of human diversity find their highest fulfillment.”

Renny Lea

Fish Creek, Wisconsin