Brian, now that I have a "war room" in which to sit amidst my accumulated memories of others, I understand exactly what you mean. As I came to the end of your missive from The Home Office, I wasn't surprised you returned to the raven on the mantel of your chamber. Like you, we all wish, that the prophecy is "nevermore" war. Alas, like Poe's poem ends;
"And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming."
So, is the specter of war still sitting, as the seeming of a demon that is dreaming, only to be awoken again when man forgets the memories of those that have gone to war before.