There is something profoundly moving in listening to the stories told by
the brave men who have fought in any war. On Monday I listened to a piece on
Radio 4’s Today programme about the work done behind enemy lines in Burma
during the Second World War. A new book is being published about their story
and the author was the piece’s main contributor but they also had one of the
soldiers who had actually seen action at the time.
Nightmares
As this was a covert operation it would have been impossible for the
forces to have rescued any man who might have got lost during the operation.
They would have been left behind to either find their own way to safety or be
captured by the Japanese. As in all war the action they saw was horrific and
this particular man had shared very little of his experiences until he had
contributed to the writing of the book. He finished his interview by saying, ‘I
have only one nightmare left … to be left behind.’ And as he uttered his last
word it appeared that he was breaking down in tears.
Peace
On this Remembrance Day I cannot but remember those who have given so
much. Their bravery is amazing. But as I remember and pay respect, as a
follower of Jesus I also have to reject war as a means by which we deal with
international problems. If the church does not stand for peace then no one
will.
It is why both my Facebook and Twitter avatars have been carrying the
white poppy for the past two weeks – remembering those who died but also
calling for a different way of being.
