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James Baugham, Gilbert Bonner, David Boyd, Joseph Brooks, James Carter, Horace Cowell, Allen Cuthrell, Alfred G. Davis, Edward Doughty, William B. Ebron, Hubert Ellis.

Robert Gattis, Thaxton Gibbs, Walter Goddard, Alston Gray, Roy Hooten, Howard Jackson, Johnnie Johnston, John Judkins.

Arthur Little, Robert Respess, David Swain, David Tetterton, Julius Tetterton, Solomon Tuten.

No one now living knows a single person listed here. No one. You see, these are the men, mostly lads, who lost their lives in the Great War. The “War to end all wars.” Only it didn’t.

That horrible war produced “seeds” that two decades later grew into what became World War II. Thus the “Great War” then became known as World War I.

World War II caused death and destruction on a scale never before seen in the history of humankind. Those born after that cataclysmic event cannot even begin to comprehend the ineffable tragedy of the war.

Over two centuries ago Alexis de Tocqueville, from France, who came over to these shores, observed that we would always struggle with war and peace, rich and poor, and black and white. So prescient.

Sadly, history continues to repeat itself, but not on such a massive scale. At least not yet, though the Middle East seems always a cauldron of terrorism, violence, and unrest. This, in one form or another, extends back into Old Testament times.

Knowing we shouldn’t personify the Supreme Being, one still might feel that God, by any name, must be disappointed in how His creation has turned out. Perhaps He weeps.

I have chosen not to list names of those from Beaufort County who became casualties in more recent times, post-World War II. Their lives were just as precious as others who died in the last century. Just as sad for their loved ones.

So, Old Timer, is there anything to be hopeful about, happy about, enjoyable?

Of course there is. We can take pleasure in the beauty in so much of nature, even as there are those who do not sense the urgency of taking measures to at least slow down the effects of climate change, global warming, something those on the far-right seem unwilling to do.

Family can and does afford us much grateful happiness, yet can be a reason

 

for angst as well.

Happiness, being “happy” often comes sporadically. It is up to the individual to find and experience it.

Someday I would like to list all who gave the supreme sacrifice in the Second World War, as was done in this column’s beginning. Some day.

Also, the contribution made by minorities was truly significant. Yet little known.

Please allow me to emphasize that we, all of us, are the beneficiaries of so much sacrifice made by so many who came before.

Let us, at the very least, be grateful. Let me, also, invite you to join me here next weekend.

I’ll look forward to it. NOTE – Much attribution must be given to “Washington and the Pamlico” by Ursula Loy and Pauline Worthy.