Eighty-four years ago the Congress of the United States of America adopted these words:

“Whereas the 11th of November 1918 marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

“Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

“Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday:

“Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”

Such innocence even in the halls of congress after a horribly bloody war that exceeded anything then known to humanity.

The resolution professes its hope and dream that following the most destructive and most bloody war in human history the peaceful relations that followed might never again be severed.

The hope is all the more powerful because it is not the prayer of children but the solemnly constructed words of adults who had witnessed a nightmare that could have ended all dreams.

A hope worth keeping alight forever, just like the flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

-JKW-