You would have to be about 110 years old to remember first-hand the end of ‘The War to end all Wars’. But, as Port Alfred MOTHs Chaplain Neil Scott said, there have been many more conflicts across the world, and on our continent, since November 11, 1918 when the Armistice signed at Versailles, France, came into effect.
There are many in our communities who bear the physical and emotional scars of conflict and loss, Scott noted in his sermon at Remembrance Day at the Port Alfred MOTH Hall on Sunday November 10. Last weekend’s commemoration was attended by around 20 former members of the armed forces and auxiliary services, and around the same number of members of the public. The well turned out Port Alfred Sea Cadets, from Training Ship Prince Alfred, took part in the parade.
“Over more than 3 400 years, there have been only 264 days when no conflict in the world has taken place” Scott said.
“Today we remember those who gave up their own lives for what they believed in, in an effort to bring peace, freedom and to protect their countries, friends and ultimately their own families.
“People wanted to believe that nobody would ever go to war again [yet] today’s wars are ever more destructive. One can only ask the question, is humankind not destroying itself?”
Scott spoke of those wounded, maimed and those disabled so severely that their lives can never be the same.
“We also remember those left behind to pick up the pieces and start a new life.”
Describing humankind’s attempts to make meaning of the terrible destruction of war, Scott spoke of the “two kinds of war” – physical and spiritual. “Unfortunately we are involved in both.”
Conflict was a way of life and would be with humankind forever, Scott said.
He acknowledged not only all the armed forces and supporting units, but also the animals that were recruited for service – horses, donkeys, dogs and even pigeons.
At local MOTH events, Mark Schroder traditionally gives colour to the history. In Schroder’s absence due to illness, Old Bill Kevin Riddin read his presentation.
“In 1918, people spoke of ‘The Great War’,” Riddin read. “It was only much later when the Second World War erupted in 1939 that the phrase, ‘the first world war’ was used.”
Explaining the history of the day, he said a two-minute silence was instituted in 1919, on November 11 at 11am. Armistice Day commemorated those who had died in the war.
The MOTH order of World War 1 veterans was formed in 1927.
“Prolonged exposure to the stress of combat and exposure to death results in social problems and poor assimilation into society. Post-traumatic stress disorder can result in rage, mental disturbance, and drug and alcohol abuse,” Riddin read.
While the military health services today recognised PTSD as needing support and treatment, millions had lived with the condition silently in the past.
Schroder noted that there were young South Africans serving in conflict areas such as the DRC, and said, “We need to remember them… just as we remember today all those who served and died [and] those who survived to recall a time they were called to face a foe in a field of battle.”
The traditional lowering of the flag, to The Last Post, and raising it again to Reveille, was followed by the laying of wreaths.
This article was first published in Talk of the Town, November 14, 2024. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays