The photograph above is of the famous Great War "Christmas Truce"
when British and German soldiers fighting each other along the western front
decided to forget what they were fighting for and came together to celebrate
in the spirit of peace on earth and good will to all men.
According to a new book about the event called,
"Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce"
author Stanley Weintraub relates that war-weary soldiers from both sides,
"helped bury their dead and remove the wounded so that by Christmas
morning there was a large open area about as wide as the size of two
football fields separating the opposing trenches."
British and German soldiers later returned to the field on Christmas
morning where they sang "Silent Night" and other carols together.
They also recited the 23rd Psalm. Later on, they played games of soccer
and football. Gifts were also exchanged, and they ate Christmas
dinner prepared by both sides. One of the soldiers who participated
in this unusual holiday celebration later said,
"Never...was I so keenly aware of the insanity of war."
If Every Day Was Like Christmas
Elvis Presley
(1966)
Song written by Red West
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