The history of Memorial Day/Veteran’s Day/Remembrance Day starts with Martinmas, the Middle Ages’ thanksgiving festival in Europe named after St. Martin of Tours (c. 316-397). Forced to become a Roman soldier like his father, he eventually was baptized and became a “soldier for Christ” (a conscientious objector).

At the end of the Great War in 1918 (later known as World War I), peace was officially declared at 11 PM on November 11th: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, symbolizing that peace was made “just in time.” Martinmas was also taken into account as part of the day’s symbolism.

Since then, there have been other wars, all of which have taken us close to the “eleventh” hour of total destruction of life on this planet. May God grant that we turn from our warring wars and with St. Martin, turn to ways of peace in all nations and for the sake of all people.