It happens every Nov. 11. Upon that day at 11 a.m. in the year 1918 World War I, the war to end all wars, ended. A truce was signed. The world celebrated and seeds were sown for yet another great war.
The 20th century was supposed to be the century of peace, yet it turned out to be a century full of war and conflict that, in one way or another, touched virtually every continent and people upon Earth.
Those of us who served our nation during that ill-fated century are a mixed lot. From those who answered their country's call in the midst of surprise attack to those who waited patiently for their draft number to be drawn into a most unpopular conflict that took over 50,000 of my generation before it ended.
I remember traveling in uniform during the 1960s. We did so for economic reasons. Service persons could fly standby for half the usual fare if we wore our uniform, and when that incentive made the difference of being home for Christmas, many of us took it. In 1967 wearing our uniform in public often meant we were shunned or worse. The pride we took in our service took a back seat to the anti-war attitudes of the day. I must admit that I shared many of the sentiments of the opposition to the war in Southeast Asia, even though I was but a very small part of it.
I will never forget the United Airlines stewardess that placed me in first class and when the plane was filling up simply winked and closed the door. Her small gesture of gratitude has become embedded in my heart. Today it has company.
After many years I and several others were treated to an amazing and I must say somewhat embarrassing experience the day before Veterans Day. I heard of the celebration from a close friend who teaches at Gardnerville Elementary School. She told me, "Oh, Pete, you need to come." So I did. For the better part of an hour a couple dozen veterans sat on stage while literally hundreds of children said, "Thank you."
I overheard one of my fellow veterans say, "That's the first real thank-you I have received in over 40 years." I am so grateful that we have matured as a people who honor those who answer our country's call even when we disagree with the purpose of the calling.
While many of the children touched us deeply, two stand out for me. First was a girl who had written a poem for veterans. Her words included gratitude for her dad who had been awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Upon reading her poem she walked down the line to give a large hug and kiss to a very proud dad. The other was a boy who stood in front of each veteran as we lined the hallway afterward and saluted each and every one of us. I have never received a salute as proudly nor returned one as meaningful as his.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," Matthew 5:9.
The Rev. Pete Nelson of Carson Valley United Methodist Church is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.
