ANIMAL IN WAR 2024 LONDON
This is a brief commentary on the 2024 Animals in War Remembrance service for the millions of animals who have died in human conflicts.
We gathered at the beautiful Animals in War Memorial in Park Lane at 15:00 hours. It was cold as is usual at this time of year, but standing in that cold is a reminder of the tiny sacrifice we make to honour those animals who suffered and died, and continue to die, during the many human-made conflicts around the world.
This service is organized by The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (ASWA), who are also part of the Animal Interfaith Alliance (AIA), as is our own organization Pan-Orthodox Concern for Animals (POCA).
The service was conducted by Rev Samantha Chandler and began with an Introduction, Welcome and first hymn ‘O God our help in ages past’, followed by an Old Testament reading from Isaiah 2:3-4 (NRSVA). This was followed by a poem by Richard Biby:
JUST A DOG
From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”
They don’t understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.”
Some of proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”
Many hours have passed, and my only company was “just a dog”, but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog”, and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it’s “just a dog”, then you probably understand phrases like “just a friend”, “just a sunrise”, or “just a promise.”
“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So, for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man” or “just a woman.”
So, the next time you hear the phrase “just a Dog”, just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”
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This was followed by another poem, written and read by Janet Wilkes, then the Intercessions were read by Barbara Gardner. There was an Introduction to the Act of Remembrance and then The Two Minute Silence:
“They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary the. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
This was followed by The Laying of Wreaths on the Memorial.
I laid a wreath on behalf of POCA and the AIA, and it was wonderful to be joined by a Chelsea Pensioner Terry, Barbara Gardner (Founder of AIA) and Richard Ryder (President AIA). We were also joined by our dear friends from the Save the Asian Elephants organisation Duncan and Emanuela ( www.stae.org), and David Hill from Nowzad, (www.nowzad.com) who gave the main speech and kindly gave me his copy to include here:
“Conflict zones are not only battlegrounds for humans, but also sadly for animals too. In the chaos of war, countless creatures suffer and are often forgotten amidst the human tragedy. From dogs used to detect explosives to horses and donkeys carrying supplies, animals play a crucial role, without choice risking their lives alongside their human counterparts. The Nowzad charity was founded by a former Royal Marine Commando, Pen Farthing from his own personal experience in Afghanistan. Whilst on troop patrol in 2006 within the town of Nowzad, Helmand Province, Pen rescued a stray dog from a vicious dogfight set up by the locals, sparking a passion to help the countless other animals caught in the conflict. The Nowzad charity now provides vital veterinary care, rescuing animals from dangerous situations, and finding loving homes for those in need, with our family of supporters right across the world.
Last year, under the endorsement of the Taliban, we were so proud to open Afghanistan’s first and only veterinary hospital and run the country’s first mobile veterinary clinic – taking in and treating injured dogs, cats, horses, donkeys and a range of wildlife, 24 hours a day.
More recently, Nowzad has extended its reach to Ukraine, a country devastated by war. We have a base in Lviv, from where we distribute vital aid and supplies to animal shelters and rescue groups in the hardest-hit areas. Nowzad is also working to provide veterinary training and support to local organizations, ensuring that animals receive the care they need, even in the midst of conflict. Nowzad’s work is a testament to the power of compassion and the belief tat all creatures deserve the change at a life without suffering and harm, even during a war.
Today we remember those animals who had no choice when war came.”
The service ended with the hymn ‘Just as I am’, followed by the Final Blessing by Rev Samantha.