War is Hell
W.T. Sherman Michigan Military Academy, June 1879
Sherman famously said in a semi prepared speech to a graduating class of young military cadets. Undoubtedly the audience was not expecting such a statement from a decorated war general. This may explain why there are varying recollections of the commencement address. Early in his military career Sherman dreamed of victories and honors. But he soon realized that such ambition had no real meaning. Purpose to engage in battle came from someplace else when all other options fail. It’s the path of last resort; inevitable, necessary and tragic. Years before the Civil War erupted he warned that such a conflict would be neither brief nor easy. War with all its consequences -death, destruction and unthinkable atrocities are an unbearable weight for everyone except for those crazy for power, wealth or both. “War is cruel and you cannot refine it” he bluntly remarked more than once. But wars are inevitable as long as people will fight to defend what is most dear to them; their families, their homelands and cherished beliefs.
Was the world really taken by surprise by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Just four weeks ago the possibility of a war while conceptually probable, seemed remote, something that happens in failed states, not Europe, not in a fledging democracy in the 21st century. There’s no room for complacency now. More than two million people have fled, the largest exodus from a European country since World War II. Destruction of monuments, buildings, and infrastructure in several cities, a death toll that while difficult to corroborate is growing exponentially. All in less than two weeks.
“War is cruelty and you cannot refine it”
Letter to the City of Atlanta, 1864
In the security of our home and comfort of our couch we can find it remarkable that a people can be so determined to defend their freedom. Not only men of conscription age, but older ones picking up arms to fend of invaders. Perhaps some had parents who told them stories of struggle for independence against Soviet occupation and aggression. Perhaps some remember themselves. Like all history it’s complicated and I don’t claim to understand it much less explain it. Most Americans myself included, have always lived without the threat of a foreign invasion from a force that intends to assimilate whatever it doesn’t destroy. Ukraine on the other hand, is one of those countries that has been threatened by annihilation and absorption dozens of times in its 1,000 years of Slavic history Once again the country is in the jaws of death by conquest and erasure of its cultural identity. Is it any wonder that they have the resolve to fight back in what seems to be a David and Goliath battle of epic proportions?
The humanitarian crisis continues to unfold. Last week maternity wards were moved to subway stations. Today a maternity ward was bombed and women soon to give birth injured. Several cities have had power and water cut off. Reports of atrocities emerge. Civilian deaths, many children and elderly numbered in the thousands Such is the rampage of war. No one wants to think about the consequences of nuclear power energy plants being repurposed. The shift from possible to probable is hard to read in times like these. That should give sufficient pause to pray.
Amidst the chaos of the war in Ukraine there are women praying, caring for children and the aged and burying the dead. Women are fleeing with their children while instilling a sense of security however illusory. Russian mothers are begging for the return of their sons who as young as sixteen presumed they were being called up to participate in routine military practice. These women are doing what those before them have always done; remind men what it means to be human.
Their resilience and hope will be fruitful. It always is. The colors of the flag of Ukraine are now ubiquitous, blue for the open sky and yellow for the plentiful wheat. May the seeds of hope drenched in tears and sometimes blood, buried deep within the ground, nurtured by fervent prayer bear the fruit of peace and freedom. Such fruit will be the true glory of Ukraine and of all peoples.
