World War I was called the “war to end all wars” when Armistice Day was first proclaimed on November 11, 1918. The U. S. Congress created Armistice Day to commemorate the end of killing during WWI and asked that the day be dedicated to the cause of world peace. Nov. 11 is also on the church calendar as the Feast of Martin of Tours; St. Martin was recognized as an early conscientious objector to war. Both Martin Luther and Martin Luther King, Jr., share his name.
What has become of Armistice Day over 100 years? Renamed “Veterans Day” since 1954 at the end of the Korean War, Americans observe and rightly honor sacrifices made by military veterans. But has the holiday become one more way to glorify military might and war? Has it lost its original meaning?
The 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed a resolution to examine the consequences of war. Christians and the church are encouraged to take destruction of war seriously. How has responding to violence with more violence worked?
Church and other groups may observe Armistice Day and its 100th anniversary with ceremonies, bell ringing, prayers, litanies, and hymns. Excellent resources have been developed by Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA (“100th Anniversary of Armistice Day resources”) and Lutheran Peace Fellowship (Peace Litany).
See also:
ELCA 2016 Call for Veterans Day prayers
ELCA Bishop Eaton’s 2016 statement on Veterans’ Day
“We need a new Armistice Day: For decades in the United States, as elsewhere, Armistice was a holiday of peace, of sad remembrance and joyful ending of war, of a commitment to preventing war in the future…”
WorldBeyondWar offers resources for Armistice Day, along with an interactive map for sharing activities associated with the day.
There were many unintended consequences of WWI, including the 1918 worldwide flu epidemic. And would WWII have happened if Germany had been treated more fairly after WWI?
How will you commemorate Armistice Day this year?
Written by Alice McCain, with thanks to Amy Blumenshine (amy@ListenToVets.org) and Glen Gersmehl