After two days of rain, yesterday was the perfect autumn day. We’d had a time of remembrance on the village green in the morning with about a quarter of the whole village’s population there. Our village was used as an airfield during the last world war with mainly Canadian troops stationed here. Somehow, my Mistress says, the involvement of the village and the fact we walk on the old airfield makes the whole thing seem so much more immediate.
After that we went for a walk on the old airfield and we talked as we walked about what it must have been like for the air crews flying out and the tragedy of the ones who didn’t return. We didn’t talk just about the British and Canadian losses, but the whole tragedy of war and the immense loss and sacrifice made by ordinary men and women in all nations where there is or has been conflict. Lives are just as important whichever side of the conflict they are on.
I thought about all those animals who have lost their lives fighting human battles. The ones who gave their lives to save others, and the ones who still serve in conflict zones today. These are not the wars of dogs and horses and yet we stand side by side with our humans and bravely give our lives.
The First World War was described as ‘the war to end all wars’ and yet even today, there is conflict across the globe. There has to be a better way to resolve differences than to fight. I know not fighting back can get me in all sorts of bother and sometimes maybe I should defend myself, but isn’t that better than being an aggressor? It would be nice to think of a day where sacrifice in war was a thing of the past and man learnt the lessons of the past. What is the point of learning and academia if not to prevent the errors of our ancestors?
Alfie’s Diary – the Book is available at Amazon UK –https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00583ZGSA
You can find short stories to read at www.alfiedog.com