On. Nov. 11, we honor all veterans who have served their country in war or peacetime. Memorial Day is specifically set aside for those who died in the service of their country, but on Veterans Day also we can’t help but remember those who never came home.

As well, there are many who did come home, but returned with the visible or invisible scars of war marking their bodies, minds and souls.

THE WOUNDS OF WAR

When I was a young kid we had a babysitter, Mrs. Tilly. Her husband often accompanied her when she took care of us while Mom and Dad worked.

Mr. Tilly sat on the end of the living room couch, and was very quiet. In fact, he never said a word. Mom said he had been gassed during the World War I, and couldn’t talk.

Mom had three brothers who served overseas in World War II – one landed at Normandy on D-Day – and all returned healthy, thank God. Later, another brother served in Korea. He didn’t fare as well, suffering from mental health challenges for the rest of his life.

Mom was very somber each Nov. 11. She didn’t tolerate any fighting or arguing from her kids. It felt like Good Friday.

WAR TO END ALL WARS

They called World War I “The War to End all Wars.” Unfortunately, that prophecy was premature. The fact that we now call it the ”first” world war reveals how doomed (if well-intentioned) the hope was.

The first led to the second, and ever since we’ve been trying to avoid a third. Even if it hasn’t happened we can’t claim our world has found any lasting peace, with fighting ongoing in some corner of the globe constantly – and frequently in several corners at a time.

MOUNTAINS OF SACRIFICE – AND MERCY

The word “iconic” is overused today, used to describe everything from haircuts to hamburgers. But if ever there was an iconic World War II image, it is the shot taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal of U.S. Marines planting the Stars and Stripes atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Flag Raising on Iwo Jima, February 23, 1945. (National Archives photo no. 80-G-413988)

That photo helps to explain why the “Greatest Generation” was given that title. But even greater was the standard raised on another hill of battle. The “War to End All Wars” was once and forever fought – and won – on Mount Calvary.

The following is an excerpt from Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace:

“Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”

(Adobe Stock/ronniechua)

Our veterans would no doubt pray that prayer with more passion than any of us. When we are fully able to enter into Jesus’ victory, peace in our time will become peace for all time.

Paul Thomas Moore is a staff writer for The Catholic Post Online.