An anniversary with an important lesson

Today is the 70th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union. Shortly after midnight on mid-summer’s day in 1941 the first of 3.3 million German soldiers crossed on to the territory of the Soviet Union.

It was on the Volga that the war was decided and Paulus and his Sixth Army were dealt a deadly blow. It was at Stalingrad - now Volgagrad, that the first signs of hope were breathed back into Europe.

It was because of that mad war that the leaders of Europe set about the creation of what is now called the European Union.

People who are now in their 50s and 60s are the first generation of Europeans in many generations who do not know what it means to go to war.

Maybe we have had it ‘too good’ but we can never lose sight of what has happened in Europe – war and peace.

The current difficulties – over money – have to be solved. Europe has to get back to the vision of the founding fathers of what was then called the EEC.

Yesterday morning on RTE Radio 1 a painter and writer spoke eloquently of her fears about the advance of right-wing politicians and political parties right now. It distrubed her greatly. It is disturbing.

It is so easy to take for granted hard won life-styles.

The alternative is shocking.