August is a time when questions of war and peace seem to hang in the heavy summer air like the feverish trilling of the cicadas -- this year, in particular, as it marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, which came to a close with Japan's surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.
What has humanity learned from the cataclysmic events of those years and in the decades since? The continuing fact of war, the carefully planned slaughter of humans by fellow humans, makes it tempting to answer: very little. Now, as then, it is ordinary people -- especially mothers and children -- who bear the brunt of the appalling physical and mental suffering wrought by war.
So many of the young men of my generation were incited by the militarist government to march proudly into battle and give their lives. The families left behind were praised for their sacrifices to protect the home front and as "military mothers" -- a term deemed to carry high honor. But, in reality, what a devastating tumult of pain, grief and misery swirled in the depths of their hearts! A mother's love, a mother's wisdom, is too great to be fooled by such empty phrases as "for the sake of the nation."