Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day. It is a day to honor those who have served our country. Originally it was called Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of WWI on November 11, 1918. It was called “armistice”- meaning an agreement to stop fighting rather than declaring a “winner” which occurs when one side surrenders. In 1926, Congress declared that November 11 would be a recurring anniversary of the date. After WWII and the Korean War the name was changed from Armistice to Veteran’s Day, to honor all those who served in war.

The wearing of poppies became popular as a remembrance of those lost. While the US honors those who died in service or as a result of injuries incurred in battle on Memorial Day (in May), the UK and other countries honor them through remembrances in November and in the wearing of red poppies.

The idea came from the poem written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae having noticed the hardy poppies emerging from the ground of the fallen soldiers in France. The poem, published during the war and read at many funerals, became one of the most popular works for art from WWI.

“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant Colonel McCrae gave much comfort to others through his poem. One would hope that it brought him some comfort and understanding as well.

I have found it interesting that the use of art forms not only helps our veterans but also aids civilians to understand the world around us. I stumbled upon the Theater of War project. The “Theater of War Productions was co-founded in 2009 by Bryan Doerries and Phyllis Kaufman, who served as producing director from 2009 to 2016. Doerries currently serves as the company's artistic director. Since its founding in 2009, Theater of War Productions has facilitated events for more than 500,000 people, presenting over 20 tailored programs to serve diverse communities across the globe, reaching over 100 countries.”

While the above Youtube clip may be ten years old, it explains the project and how using storytelling, namely through the ancient plays helps in our understanding of humanity today.

I think back to the songwriting project I read (and wrote) about last year. All these different art forms help in making sense and processing our human experience. I guess one reason is that as we write, paint, sculpt, or sing about any experience, we can control the narrative. For a brief time, we can remove ourselves from being in the middle of the experience and perhaps view it with an arm’s length. War and its aftermath heightens all human experiences, yet what we learn from looking at it through the lens of the arts, can help us view other types of human experiences and how we treat one another.

What about you? Whether you are a veteran or not, have you ever had a song, poem, play, essay, novel, or any type of visual art speak to you? Did it help you make sense of a situation you were going through? How do you honor and/or remember those who served our country?

Tomorrow night (11/11/21) at 7:30pm EST, the University of Mississippi is having a virtual event of the Theater of War- reading of scenes from Sophocles’ Philoctetes— The event is free: Information click here.