In the United States, November 11 is known as Veterans Day. In Canada, Australia and the UK, this anniversary of the signing of the armistice that marked the end of World War I, is called Remembrance Day. France has retained the original name of Armistice Day. Whatever the name, in each country November 11 is set aside to remember those members of the military forces who have lost their lives in war.

For those of us who see war as a misguided way of settling differences between nations, today has particular poignancy. We cannot salute our flags or sing our national anthems in good conscience. We cannot claim the sacrifice given by these young men and women--and all who loved them--has served to keep us safe and secure. All we can do is mourn the loss of millions and millions of individuals who were born with gifts our world needed...but never received. And the losses continue minute-by-minute across our wartorn world.

When will we ever learn? (CLICK HERE to hear Pete Seeger's song.)