Story of Edith Cavell - It changed the WAR The story of Edith Cavell, presented by Lauren Daley, based on a novel by Terri Arthur made my heart say ‘Wow’! As I read the paragraphs, my spine became straighter, my heartbeats faster, and I wanted to stand on my feet and salute Edith Cavell even when she was not here. I present here a slightly edited version of the report. It was Brussels, 1915. World War I was raging. A British nurse named Edith Cavell was working in neutral Belgium when the German army marched in and took over the hospitals and schools. Their order: Do not save any British soldiers. Or you will die. What happened later is truly inspirational and devotional!!! When two British soldiers, badly injured, needed her help, Cavell went against orders and saved the men. She was court-martialed and executed in cold blood by a firing squad of German soldiers. She was 50 years old. She died, but with her execution, she lived as never before. Cavell’s execution received worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage. The events the followed, leads us to believe that Edith’s execution played a vital role in changing the direction of the World War I. At the time Germans soldiers executed Edith Cavell, Germany was winning the war. They had more manpower, better artillery and more supplies than the allies. Then Edith Cavell’s death flashed over every major newspaper in Europe. Horror spread throughout Britain. In America, 25 percent of the country was of Germanic heritage and believed German Ambassador Zimmerman, who told them the stories of Nazi atrocities were untrue. But after the Germans executed Edith Cavell, things changed. British men signed up to ‘avenge Edith Cavell’s death’ in such large numbers that Britain — already spent by more than a year of war — appealed to America to help them financially and with providing war materials. Edith was the catalyst for getting America into World War I. Terri Arthur published her historical novel, “Fatal Decision: Edith Cavell WWI Nurse,” in 2011. She spent six years writing and researching — including two trips to Europe, to glean details on a story that she published as a book. That is incredible dedication to an equally incredible story. On her second trip, Terri Arthur went to Brussels to see the hospital where Edith Cavell trained. “When I saw the place where she was executed, I felt so humbled. It was as if I were on hallowed ground,” Terri Arthur told Lauren Daley. One good decision led to a mini revolution. Wow!!! Incredible isn’t it. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And Vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But Conscience asks the question “Is it right?” There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.” The world will remain indebted to Edith Cavell for doing what was ‘right’. She showed all of us what is possible by doing the ‘right’. Lest we forget I repeat the slightly edited question that Lauren Daley asks, “If Edith Cavell had not saved the two british soldiers at the cost of her own life, what would have been the outcome of World War I?” As I read about Edith Cavell, I was a changed person. As I wrote about it, it changed me for the better all over again. I am sure a few of us will not be able to remain the same ever again. Spiritually, Edith has become a part of us. Am I right my friend? My heart felt suggestion, do read this ‘LSM’ at least once more. It might heal something deep inside you… (Source: By Narendra Goidani, Life School Messages)
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 08:29:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015