This is sort of a controversial take on this 11th of November.

I am grateful for the wars.

I would not be here today were the events of the wars not to have occurred.  My wife and kids would not be here either.  Heck, I wouldn't have met my wife.

My Great Grandfather on my mother's side fought in WWI for the allies and rose though the ranks to Colonel. He was awarded the Legion d'Honour Chevalier rank for documenting gravesites.  I take immense pride and inspiration from his actions.

My other a Great Grandfather (a Jew) fought for the Germans.

In WWII, the German side of the family had to flea Germany (so much for honouring the debt he paid in WWI) and moved to NYC with his whole family, escaping on one of the last ships out.  Meanwhile the American-born side was stationed in Pearl Harbour.  My grandmother and grandfather met at Hickam Airfield where the Japanese bombed.  They survived.  They fell in love (kinda like the movie but my Great Aunt was the nurse).  My grandfather continued on to fight the Japanese in the Pacific.

My Wife's Grandmother (Japanese) was raised in imperial controlled China and had to escape, when that collapsed, back to Japan where she had multiple children and grandchildren like my wife.

I met my wife in Japan. We met, fell in love, got married, and had kids.

There was one time that my daughter, a half Japanese/half American/Canadian met her a great Grandmother.  My daughter is the product of allies over two great wars and the product of the other side coming together, spanning almost 100 years, three continents,  and four generations.

Honour the veterans and our history, lest we forget. But also know that no matter how bad things may be, how painful things may get, life, and love, finds a way.