So I had to write this thing today.

[saffronhare]

And it turned out to be a lot more emotional than I'd anticipated. See, at work, we're producing materials for a US Army program called the Freedom Team Salute. I was asked to write kind of a manifesto, from a soldier's POV, about what it means to have a team of people at home (family, friends, co-workers) supporting what they do. It's a very specific piece, for a very specific audience and purpose, so please keep that context in mind.

Even if you don't know a lot about me, you can perhaps imagine the conflict I felt over this. Here's the initial draft. I'm posting it here because who knows how it'll be changed before it's done and this -- unpolished as it may be -- is the one closest to my raw self, and I wanted to save it somehow. Also, since I promised I'd try to write more stuff that wasn't purely fundraising.

This is loosely inspired by the Army song, the USMA Alma Mater and lifelong memories of ceremonies in which hails and farewells were called out over the parade grounds.



The Freedom Team Salute

Hail to our mothers and fathers
Hail to our brothers and sisters
Hail to our friends and comrades
You are our strength when courage falters.
We salute you.

When we bid farewell to a life of ease
When we step forward in the face of challenge
When we walk into danger so that others may be spared
You are the hope that guides us home.
We salute you.

Over hill and over dale
Through hell and high water
Into the fray and out the other side
You are the vision that clears our sight.
We salute you.

We carry duty on our backs
We hold honor in our hands
We protect a country in our hearts

By day and by night
By truth and by light
You are the very measure of freedom.

We salute you.