The armistice to end of The War to End All Wars came into effect on November 11th, 1918 at 11am local time. Ninety years ago today, the world saw an end to the most horrific warfare ever seen on this planet. It was obviously hoped at the time that mankind would never see war like that of The Great War ever again. Sadly, as we all know, war after war has followed in its wake.
The War to End All Wars is obviously was misnomer. After all, mankind cannot stop fighting. There is something at the core of our nature that compels us to compete. Even peace protestors, abortion activists and environmentalists, and organizations like PETA, Sea Sheppard, and Greenpeace all thrive on conflict and mankind’s nature to compete. Sports and Games follow that theme, allowing an outlet for and/or feeding our species’ aggressive nature. One might argue that we do not feel completely alive unless we’re competing. Think of the excitement of watching a sporting event or if you are fit and well trained enough, playing in and winning that same sporting event.
Maybe, one day, we will see an end to armed conflict and we will be left with sporting competition. Until the end of warfare… until mankind can harness its rage at itself, we will see members of humanity fighting each other and becoming casualties of our drive to compete. Until that time, we will see ourselves, our families, and our friends put into harm’s way. Until the end of warfare, it’s our duty to consider why and to remember those that sacrificed their lives and their health to protect humanity against itself.
