On November 11, 1918, the 11^th day of the 11^th month, at the 11^th hour, the war to end all wars ended. 20 Million murdered, and although the propaganda machine touted it as the war to end all wars, war did not end.

Veterans’ Day is not a day to honor war. It is not simply an American day; it is an international day to honor vets, regular people like you and me.

Saint Francis was a combat veteran. Born in Assisi, Italy in 1181, he lived a lush life as a young man, full of lots of lust. Then he went to war, and it hurt him.

He could not sleep without having nightmares. He could not speak to anyone about it. Combat can cripple the soul.

His story is my story and the story of many other veterans.

Francis could not think or action himself out of the horror story. The world and all its luxuries could not console him.

Only Amor offers salvation.

In nature, Francisco found peace outside of human corruption. He prayed with birds and flowers and learned their wisdom:

“Yet even King Solomon in all his glory was not adorned as beautifully as these birds and flowers.” Matthew 6:29

Francis Pancho, the front-line combat veteran, abandoned all his wealth, all his pomp, all the spoils of war, and put on a potato sack and wandered the world preaching and practicing the Kingdom of God:

Amor.

The city of San Fran Frisco is named after this poor person, this homeless veteran who talked with the wind and wolves.

Veterans’ Day is a day to offer and share Amor and to remember roots.

Semper Fidelis,

Benjamin Bac Sierra, USMC 0331