The Greatest Sacrifice Poem by O. A.

The Greatest Sacrifice

Written by an Ordinary Civilian

I.
The highest distinction
For Military valour and bravery
Is the Poppy Symbol and Sacrifice Medal
Awarded by the Canadian Armed Forces
To a Soldier who sacrificed more
Than their mind, body, heart, and soul
On a battlefield of any kind
Out there in the minefields of everyday life
And with this distinction comes great responsibility
One that very few take lightly
One that very few take lightly
One that very few take lightly

To defend a country
To defend a name
To defend an ideal
Carries a certain weight
Especially, when ordinary folks want you
To defend their honour in your country's name...
And then if you develop PTSD
For simply ordinary people like me
It seems like the world you knew
Is a long long way, and far removed
However, still, Military Veterans Sacrifice
And bleed their country's flag, just the same...
But the honour and distinction is real
One that houses only a few
Brigade and battalion members
In a heirloom of generational fame
In a class of becoming a household name
However, this is not why the few, serve again and again...
Achieving distinctions all across the grain
From what I understand,
Most would serve in silence, without you
Ever knowing their name...
Ever knowing their face...
Ever knowing their sacrifice...
In their own case.

II.
WWI and WWII Veterans
And 1st Responders
Are the real heroes everyday
They sacrifice themselves on their jobs
In everyday life to fight in Battles 'n Wars
They may or may not have started or cared for...
In order to protect the Canadian way
In order to protect the Sovereign faces
In order to protect Women and Children
Its a duty that has not gone unrecognized
Every November 11th we celebrate their lives
We shed tears for those who died
We shed tears for those who died
We shed tears for those who died
And we make sure they do not go unrecognized
Outlining their classifications
Outlining their sacrifices
Reading epitaphs of those loved ones
In graveyard ceremonies of soldiers
Who gave their lives
As we hold the torch high
As we hold the torch high
As we hold the torch high

One foot on Canadian soil
One hand on my chest, as I salute them
I may just be a civilian but I remember
Their sacrifices again and again
I understand why they did what they did
I understand why they do what they do
Because to honour Canada, my homeland
I would serve my country too
I would serve my country too
I would serve my country too
If asked to...

III.
To defend a country
To defend a name
To defend an ideal
Carries a certain weight
Especially, when ordinary folks want you
To defend their honour in your country's name...
And then if you get injured
For simply ordinary people like me
It seems like the world you knew
Is a long long way, and far removed
But to lose part of yourself for millions of people
Who make up the best parts of a country one calls home
Who make up the greatest coast to coast continent alone
Who make up a melting pot of delicious cultures like your own
It might not be a sacrifice everyday people like me understand...
But believe me, our country is one of the worlds highest in demand...

So, to you my Veterans
So, to you my Hero and Heroes
I empathize as you do
And on November 11th
I will celebrate with you
I will celebrate all those who sacrificed
For the Red, and White, too
Every year, until there are no more tears
War is something awful,
But alas its a part of human existence
And to those from basic training
To the highest distinction waiting
To receive their Sacrifice Medals
For bleeding with their brothers, sisters
And bretheren
In Wars all around the world
On November 11th,
Remembrance Day
There are billions around the world
Who get it too...
Who get it too...
Who get it too...
And will salute you
As Veterans and 1st Responders
Responsible for our Freedom
And our country's definitive
Truth...

O.A.