November 11, 2025 ( written about two weeks ago )
Good afternoon.
My grandfather was a medic during the First World War. Just after his first son, George, was born, he had to leave for the Russian Empire service. When the Mennonites arrived in Russia, they negotiated with the Empire that Mennonites would not have to serve in the military. By the time the early 1900’s this was being eliminated . There was still an opportunity to do non-combatant service. That is what my grandfather did. Others took up arms to defend their Mennonite colonies and villagers. In German it was called ‘ selbschutz ‘. The White, Red armies and the bandits all committed violence to Mennonite communities. My grandfather decided to work for peace in a different way.
I attended the Canadian Legion Service of Remembrance in Elmira yesterday, for my grandfather’s story. I wore my MCC ‘ To remember is to work for peace ‘ button. Sometimes I have put on a poopy too , but not this time. As the wars in Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza continue, I thought I needed the peace button. Many wreaths were placed by organizations, political parties and businesses. The Mennonite Jantzi family placed one for their uncle, Dalton Block, who was killed in WWII. I think he was a fighter pilot. I believe his body was never found, and there is a tombstone in one of the Allied European cemeteries. Mennonite history is complicated.
There is no peace without justice, and no justice without peace . Anonymous
Pray for Gaza.
Fred
black and white shadows
crush humanity’s freedom
am I complicit ? MPL 2025
Ponder Anew 