A day of peace?

By Walt Zlotow  

On Nov. 11, 1919, Armistice Day was established in the United Kingdom to commemorate the armistice that ended World War I a year earlier. Congress later signed on for the U.S. to “perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations” with a day that is “dedicated to the cause of world peace.”

It became known as Veterans Day in 1954. Since then, it has largely become a commercial for promoting American militarism and perpetual war around the world. Today, there are more than 170,000 U.S. troops deployed in more than 80 countries. To a country engaged in perpetual war worldwide, “armistice” is a word that dare not speak its name.

America has enabled and prolonged the war against Russia in Ukraine, killing hundreds of thousands in a war where Ukraine has minimal chance of victory. Not satisfied with that bloodbath, the U.S. has funneled tens of billions of dollars in weapons for Israel to largely obliterate Gaza, killing 70,000 while leaving the remaining 2.2 million Palestinians with little food, water, medicine, electricity or hope.

We regularly bomb innocents in a number of countries, such as Somalia under the Joe Biden and Donald Trump administrations. Senseless U.S. warfare is about the only thing both parties agree upon.

While every decent function of government uplifting the commons loses funding, our defense budget has soured to over $1 trillion.

After 71 years, it’s time for another name change. How about “Peace Day,” to honour people of peace such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a true American war hero, Pvt. Chelsea Manning, who spent seven years in prison for outing American war crimes in Iraq? Peace Day would put the focus on peace Nov. 11, not endless war.

It’s time once again, as we did in 1926, to “perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.”

As John Lennon famously sang, “Give peace a chance.”

Walt Zlotow, West Suburban Peace Coalition, Glen Ellyn, IL

Keep Independent Journalism Alive – Support The AIMN

Dear Reader,

Since 2013, The Australian Independent Media Network has been a fearless voice for truth, giving public interest journalists a platform to hold power to account. From expert analysis on national and global events to uncovering issues that matter to you, we’re here because of your support.

Running an independent site isn’t cheap, and rising costs mean we need you now more than ever. Your donation – big or small – keeps our servers humming, our writers digging, and our stories free for all.

Join our community of truth-seekers. Donate via PayPal or credit card via the button below, or bank transfer [BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969] and help us keep shining a light.

With gratitude, The AIMN Team