Veterans’ Day holds a special place in Br. Edward Walsh’s heart. Before becoming a brother, Walsh served in the armed forces for two years, serving in World War II. Despite his participation in the war, Walsh is an advocate for peace.

Walsh said, “Peace is a piecemeal job. Little acts make the scene serene.”

Walsh said that if he had to do it all over again, he would, but he also realizes the power of passive resistance.

In one of his reflections, Walsh wrote, “I admired the corpsmen that gave medical service in the front lines but wouldn’t fire a gun. They put their lives on the line for their country and also defended their beliefs.”

In 1945, Walsh was drafted into the military at the age of 19. Having seen his older brother already gone off to war, Walsh was excited to be drafted. “It was all just a great adventure,” Walsh said.

After training in New York, Jacksonville and Memphis, Walsh was sent to the Pacific, working as a gunner and radio operator.

Walsh remembers sleeping in tents outside the airport near Mount Saribuchi and being stationed on Saluag Island, which is the southernmost island in the Philippines, and in Singapore and Borneo. Walsh said that he never felt the horror of the war. Being part of the Naval Air unit, it never felt personal.

Everywhere he went, Walsh continued to do one thing that he loved: play basketball. He continued playing for fun after the war, although he never joined a college team.

Because of the G.I. bill, Walsh and his brother had the opportunity to go to college. Both men attended Iona, and Walsh graduated with the class of 1950. No one in the Walsh family had ever gone to college before.

Walsh knew he wanted to be a teacher and basketball coach, but he never thought about becoming a brother until Br. Arthur Loftus invited him to join the brotherhood. “I was inspired by his enthusiasm in the classroom,” Walsh said.

 At age 24, Walsh took the name of Arthur when he became a brother, in honor of his inspiration.

During his working years, Walsh taught a variety of subjects in Boston, West Roxbury, and New Rochelle. He earned his Master’s degree at Catholic University and studied at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois.

Walsh loved preparing for classes as much as he loved teaching them. At the age of 65, Walsh retired and began playing golf.

After a hip replacement in early 2010, Walsh gave up golfing and began writing spiritual reflections. He has written approximately 60 reflections since his hip replacement. Walsh sends his reflections to friends and family in Florida and California, among other locations. His reflections cover a variety of topics, such as suffering, war and his love for basketball.

In his reflection on peacemakers, Walsh writes, “Peace vs. War: not a topic to debate. Discuss, share, explore, okay…but once you argue to make a point, your means defeats you; you’re at war.”

Walsh firmly believes that God is a loving and forgiving God, not a tormenting or vengeful God. He believes that we should accept and love everyone, even those who may hold different beliefs and values. He brings his religion and faith into all his writings.

Walsh writes, “Seeking peace, look into your heart. A peaceful person lives in a loving world. An angry, aggressive man lives in a hostile world, looking for war.”

Walsh believes that peace begins with the heart. He writes, “The heart is the place where angels leave their messages.”