Herodotus

In peace, sons bury fathers, but in war fathers bury sons.

From Book 1 of The Histories, which he wrote in the 5th century B.C. and which is the earliest work of Greek prose to have survived intact.  Cicero called Herodotus "The Father of History," but some believe "The Father of Lies" would be a more suitable title for him.

Today is Veterans Day in the United States because it is the date on which World War I on the Western Front ended in 1918.  The date is also a national holiday in the UK (and other British Commonwealth nations), France, Belgium, and Poland.  

Herodotus