Invest in peace and prosperity, not war

It would be good to remember the unfortunate anniversary of World War I that killed more than 9 million combatants and still more civilians. It was a war that spawned even more revolution and war throughout the century and into the next.

On July 28, 1914, the war to end all wars began and in rapid succession country after country fell into this abyss to be forever changed by it. Not even a worldwide pandemic could stop the murderous fighting in the trenches across the face of Europe.

A century later and we still have not learned the lessons of what continuous war bring as we continue with one fight followed by yet another. We spend our national wealth, which would be better invested in the country, on destroying and disrupting some other country. What a complete waste of taxpayer's money and for what good end? Does it make good sense to invest in the tools of destruction rather than the pruning hooks of peace and prosperity?

Let us use our patriotism to raise up civilization and the fellowship of man, rather than squander our national treasure and our youth tearing the world apart.

Steve Hanken

Cedar Rapids