Brothers in Arms

One of the most touching monuments in Flanders’ fields is the Brothers in Arms Memorial Park near the Polygon woods of Zonnebeke, in the vicinity of Ypres. It shows Australian soldier John Hunter dying in the arms of his younger brother James. James buried John carefully in the forest in September 1917, survived the war but could not find back his brother's grave after the war. In 2006 however, the remains of five Australian soldiers were found in the forest. One of the five soldiers was identified by DNA research as being the lost John Hunter.

Touching as this monument may be, I feel an inner resistance to attend public praise events to fallen victims, especially when political powers are present, claiming the boys had given their lives for their country. What the officials should say is: “We failed in diplomacy and have taken the lives of these young people to uphold our doubtful reputation…”. What on Earth is worth more in a country than the lives of young people? Abstract principles like ‘freedom’ or ‘democracy’ are of no use for people who have died already, nor for the numerous family members who stay behind, dead from sorrow.

In these times of belligerent talk, we prefer silence or the wonderful Brothers in Arms song of Dire Straits.

I refer to my earlier blog Pray for peace.

Dedication: I dedicate this blog to ir. Marc De Jonghe († 15 November 2025), friend and brother in arms.

Picture: Brothers in Arms monument Zonnebeke, Ypres 2025 ©Wim Lahaye