Re: Rememberance Day
Edward C. Stotz, Jr. (estotz@GMU.EDU)
Thu, 4 Apr 1996 20:20:40 -0800
Donald99 wrote:
>
> That's easy. In my opinion, Rememberance Day would be as good an
> opportunity as any to teach a little history: What REALLY CAUSES war,
> and not politically-correct revisionist stuff either. How else are
> we going to help prevent future wars? History is already repeating
> itself in Bosnia and Burundi. What better tribute to those who gave
> everything for us (you and me) than an honest attempt to control future
> genocide and aggression? "That they shall not have died in vain."
> That might require a little work and study by the teachers who are
> entrusted with the minds and hearts of future generations.
> Donald Giddings
>
> On Wed, 3 Apr 1996, J. Morris/W. Sturton wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > I've been enjoying your questions and answers since January. Now I have
> > a question of my own.
> >
> > I am a teacher in a secondary school in Canada--at the secondary level.
> > In the last five years, I have been responsible for organizing a
> > Remembrance Day Service for the school. I work with the graduating
> > class to present a moving memorial for those who went off to war and
> > never returned. This is a strange twist of fate for a former 60's
> > anti-war protester--I struggle every year against feelings that maybe I
> > am promoting the glorification of war, even as I introduce students to
> > what I consider an important chunk of our national (and international)
> > history.
> >
> > I like this listserv because the "elders" frequently admonish young
> > questioners to treasure peace. Yet, you have lived through the darkness
> > of the human heart.
> >
> > What do you think of Remembrance Day services? In your view, what should
> > we be remembering--or teaching for the first time--in such a context?
> >
This is a good idea. The worst thing that could happen is that we forget the
leasson of the 20th century which is that the tools of the industrial age
which brought about so manny wonderful things can also be used to create
great destruction.
ed