Hi Rebecca, we all need to be hopelessly hopeful. It's all we have right now.

I was 'blissfully' unaware of much of this until I taught children of men who had been in the V war, some without fingers, or spinal issues. I have since learned that the effects of agent orange can be felt generationally.

The line I quoted comes from Scottish folk writer and musician Eric Bogle, from the song The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. I cannot listen to that song without tearing up.

Had I been a young man during the VW

I would have gone missing. War solves nothing.

Interestingly, just yesterday I was writing here about students coming in after play screaming abuse at each other . I had my way of dealing with it, always to get them to understand that they were engaged in war. And always, once they had calmed down, we talked. I never missed the opportunity.

I hope,as young men, they still remember there are better ways of solving conflict.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=waltzing+matilda+eric+bogle+lyrics