Marking the end of World War I in 1918 with thoughts on war and peace over 100 years

Me with my Dad 1942

As Remembrance Day approaches, and this year we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, 1918,  my thoughts as they often do at this time of year return to a service in St. John's Anglican Church in 1948, three years after the end of World War II.

In 1948, Rev. Canon H.A, Sims, the Rector, and veteran of World War I was conducting a service to dedicate a prayer desk given to the church by the family in memory of my father, Flying Officer James E. Morris. He was killed on active service in the RCAF in 1943 during World War II.

I was seven years old in 1948, at an age where I was starting to come to terms with the fact that he was not coming home. 

Yes, I had my mother, Muriel E. (Hunt) Morris, my grandparents Edythe and George Hunt and  Lil and Harry Morris, as well as my aunt and uncle Elsie and B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt and my Zufelt cousins, my aunt Marion Morris --- and my friends in Chapleau. All played a most important role in my life.

In his incredible book, 'The Ordeal of Total War', Gordon Wright tells us that Sir Winston Churchill once commented that the effects of World War II, will be felt by those affected by it for at least 100 years. Trust me, Churchill was right. I am just shy of 77 now, and have lived with that war every day of my life.

During World War II. and in the years since, there have been countless families and children. who like me and my family, were affected by war, and acts of terror, and each time, which is almost daily, I shake my head a bit, and wonder why. But, I know, I care and I understand the lasting effect of these events on our lives.

After World War I, my family and so many others lived forever after with the aftermath of that war. My grandfather's brother was killed in action, while Grandpa (Harry Morris) served in the famous 227th Regiment. Two of my grandmother's brothers Griffin and Charles Mulligan also served.

Let me share some thoughts expressed by Canon H.A. Sims, at the prayer desk dedication service. They seem as appropriate today in our troubled world as they were three years after the end of World War II.

Canon Sims

In part, here is what Canon Sims a World War I veteran,  said:

"There is not the slightest necessity for civilized men to destroy their civilization in warfare. Nothing is settled by warfare which could not be better settled in some more reasonable, humane and decent way.

"Warfare is caused by men  who have allowed the spirit of the devil rather than the spirit of God to determine their thinking.

"Peace comes only from those who make it; who work harder at making peace than men working at making war.

"We must make peace by working hard at overcoming ugliness with beauty; overcoming meanness with generosity; overcoming lies with truth and by overcoming evil with good."

I have shared the thoughts of Canon Sims in other columns, but feel they are worth repeating. They are a message of hope in a world that often seems hopeless but to me at least the light still shines in the darkness.

Jim Roberts Vietnam veteran

My good friend Jim Roberts, an American who served in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam, and moved to Canada after returning home wrote a wonderful letter a few years ago. Here is part of it:

"I just want people to be happy. Friends are the fruit cake of life, some smelly. some cooked in alcohol, some sweet, but mix them together and they are all my friends... This is what I want: I want people who are sick with no cure to be able to be cured. I want children with no families to be adopted. I want people to never have to worry about food, shelter and heat. I want peace and love for everyone."

To mark the end of World War I 100 years ago, in the next two columns my cousin Michael McMullen, who co-authored 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' with me will share his research into the 227th Regiment. Lest we forget!!!!

My email is mj.morris@live.ca