We go
Not for the empty words of some politician;
Not for the ‘inspiring’ speech of a General;
Not to please an ignorant journalist.

We go
So that evil others do not come here;
That our own land and people remain ignorant of war;
So those that criticize can do so from a position of peace.

We go
So that children in faraway lands can walk a street without fear;
That they can live without the shadow of a sudden violent passing;
So that a smile at a stranger does not cost them anything.

We go
To hold our heads high and be acknowledged;
For the chance of a piece of ribbon and metal;
To know that we have tried to leave this world a better place.

We go
For our brothers of the blood red lanyard;
Because we will never let our comrades walk alone;
For our mates of now and wars past.

I go
So that maybe,
Someday,
My sons do not have to.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing. “
- Edmund Burke