A Worthier Cause – An Armistice Day Meditation • Remembrance Day | WW1 | Civil War | Veteran’s Day

On a day recognized as Veterans Day in the United States, a historian, Lieutenant Colonel Al McCarn, addressed the Founded in Truth Fellowship. His message, delivered in conjunction with a Torah portion read earlier, explored the deeper meaning of service, sacrifice, and the concept of a “warrior,” connecting historical events like World War I and the American Civil War to a timeless call for unity and love. The teaching emphasized the importance of remembering and learning from the past, even its difficult and divisive aspects, to build a better future.

The Significance of Remembrance

The speaker began by highlighting the original name of Veterans Day: Armistice Day, which commemorated the end of fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918. He pointed out that an armistice is a temporary cessation of hostilities, not the end of conflict itself. This historical context set the stage for a broader reflection on the nature of war and the motivations of those who participate in it. He shared the story of his grandfather, Corporal Garland Victor McCarn, who was drafted into the army during World War I but arrived in France just as the armistice was declared. Although his grandfather never saw combat, he endured the separation from his family, and his primary concern was for their well-being. This illustrated that service and sacrifice extend beyond direct engagement in battle.

Veterans and Warriors

A key distinction was made between a veteran and a warrior. Veterans are honored for their service to their country, regardless of whether they served in war or peace, or their motivations for joining. A true warrior, however, is someone whose service transforms them, instilling a greater sense of purpose and duty to others. Warriors attach themselves to a cause that justifies the cost of their sacrifice, often learning through time and experience the true value of life and what is worth fighting for.

Lessons from the Past: The Speaker’s Ancestors

To illustrate the complexities of a warrior’s motivations and the importance of understanding history beyond simplistic narratives, the speaker shared the stories of his great-grandfather, Josiah Easley McCarn, and his stepfather, Henry B. Martin, during the American Civil War. His great-grandfather enlisted in the Confederate Army at the young age of 15. While acknowledging that slavery was a major factor in the Civil War and that his family owned slaves, the speaker suggested that Josiah’s motivations were more nuanced, possibly related to protecting his family and community in a time of great upheaval. Contrasting this, his great-grandfather’s stepfather, Henry Martin, likely held Unionist sentiments and may have served in the Union Army. This family history highlighted the divided loyalties and difficult choices individuals faced during the Civil War. The speaker emphasized that understanding these historical figures requires moving beyond “sound bites, memes, and slogans” to grasp the “depths and nuances of the wrestlings in a warrior’s heart.” He noted that even Robert E. Lee, who chose to serve the Confederacy despite previously upholding the U.S. Constitution, faced a painful decision driven by loyalty to his home state.

The Nature of Honor and Conflict

The teaching explored the concept of honor, noting that warriors pledge their loyalty to causes they believe will bring the greatest good. However, honor can be manipulated, and when leaders act selfishly, the warrior’s commitment can be exploited. The speaker also reflected on his own experiences during his deployments to Iraq, observing that even those they fought against had their own reasons for fighting, often rooted in protecting their land and families. He recounted a symposium where former enemies from World War II came together, demonstrating that even after intense conflict, a warrior’s understanding of shared sacrifice can lead to reconciliation. This underscored the temporary nature of conflict and the potential for former adversaries to find common ground.

A Worthier Cause: Beyond the Battlefield

The speaker then shifted the focus to a “worthier cause” – the battles fought not on foreign lands but within our own hearts and homes. He shared a poignant story about a tragedy that deeply affected his church community while he was serving in Iraq, highlighting the pain of being unable to protect loved ones from suffering. This experience led him to realize that his primary calling as a warrior was to those within his immediate sphere of influence: his family and community. This “greater calling” transcends national, cultural, and ideological boundaries, uniting warriors across different contexts. He referenced C.S. Lewis, who, having experienced the horrors of World War I, later articulated the importance of loving one’s enemies. The example of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors at the Battle of Little Bighorn was used to illustrate the concept of “Peace Through Unity,” emphasizing the need to honor all who have fallen in conflict and to strive for reconciliation. The contrasting memorials at Little Bighorn symbolize the journey from conflict to unity and the importance of acknowledging different perspectives. Ultimately, the speaker concluded that the wars we fight are a reflection of the spiritual battle against the adversary of our souls. Just as Jesus Christ faced and overcame temptation, we too are called to a higher standard of love and forgiveness, as articulated by President Abraham Lincoln’s call for “malice toward none, with charity for all” in his second inaugural address. This “worthier cause” of love and unity offers a path beyond the temporary ceasefires of armistices to a lasting peace.

Application for Everyday Life

• Seek to understand different perspectives: Just as the speaker explored the motivations of his ancestors and those he fought against, we should strive to understand the reasons behind others’ actions and beliefs.
• Choose your battles wisely: Like his grandfather who avoided unnecessary risks, we should discern which conflicts are truly worth fighting and when it is better to seek peace.
• Honor service in all its forms: Recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by veterans and others who serve their communities and families, even if their contributions are not always visible.
• Prioritize love and unity: Strive for reconciliation and understanding in our relationships and communities, recognizing that this is a “worthier cause” than perpetuating division and conflict.
• Be a guardian of your own “hearth and home”: Recognize that our primary responsibility is to care for and protect those closest to us, both physically and emotionally.
• Learn from the past, both the good and the bad: Understanding history, including its complexities and difficult truths, can help us make better choices in the present and build a more just future.
• Extend grace and forgiveness: Just as God extends grace, we should strive to forgive others and ourselves, moving beyond bitterness and resentment.

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References

Bible Verses:

• Genesis 18
• Genesis 19
• Genesis 20
• Genesis 21
• Genesis 22
• Luke 4:13

Books and Resources Mentioned:

• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis