War veteran says give peace a chance
Immediately after the war we were taken on a tour of the devastated cities in Europe, especially Germany, to show how effective the bombing campaign had been.
I was horrified at the extent of the destruction, the overpowering stench of decay and death, and the inhumanity of the death camps. I have lived with the memories of these sights and smells ever since. Recently I joined the peace march in Dublin. I am neither anti-Bush nor anti-Blair, but anti-war. I am deeply concerned that many innocent people will die in the threatened Iraqi conflict.
In the past I was proud to be associated with the victory of the Allied armies over Nazi evil. But now I am sad that it cost so much in human misery. Surely war is always a failure, not a solution. There must be another way.
Bro Columbanus Deegan,
Franciscan Friary,
Lady Lane,
Waterford.
