For those who like palindromic dates and times, or for those who love Pascal's triangle, today is a date in which to revel.  But across the globe it is a day when, on average, 1 military and 3 civilian lives will be lost every hour in armed conflict.  It is not a day to debate the rights and wrongs of armed conflict, it is a day to remember, with gratitude, those, often conscripts rather than volunteers, who paid for our freedoms in their own blood.  It is a day to remember the countless children, women and men who live with the physical and mental scars of war.  It is a day to pray for peace - not mere absence of war.

My friends include pacifists and military chaplains, retired armed forces personnel and anti-war campaigners.  I have worked in defence; I hope I also work for peace.  Do I have an answer? No, not really.  But today, for a moment (or 120 seconds anyway) I will endeavour to stop and think.

Remember the Dead

Do not forget the Living

Pray for Peace