For
the past fifty-two weeks they have been away from family and friends
for
the past twelve months they have been manning check points and patrolling
street ends
for
every day you have enjoyed the split unit of your home, they have been under
the burning sun, keeping the enemies away
for
every night you have savored the warmth of your bed, they have laid in the
freezing trenches providing you solace
for
every moment you have hugged a friend, kissed a loved one, grabbed a beer,
dribbled a ball, they have been holding on to their rifles and their breath,
defending all.
''Arise
O'come patriot'' and they rose to answered the call, in distant land and at
home
wearing
the identity of our country, serving our father land with love and strength and
faith
they
are flesh and blood whose love for their country has, to the hopeless, restored
hope and strengthen the spine of the weak
it
is for the love of our country that they have left family and comfort to go
into the desert field.
it
is for the love of our country and not the hate of the enemy that they have put
on their boots of courage and helmet of bravery
matching
onwards to enclaves of the enemy and displaying gallantry
they
stand between the peace and happiness that there is and the sorrow and
affliction that could become
they
have felt all emotions, from the pain of leaving loved ones behind to the joy
of returning to a warm hug after an accomplished task
from
the anguish of losing a battle to the euphoria of winning a war
it
is to preserve our sovereignty that they have sacrificed their today, tomorrow
and their eternity.
To The
Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy, Police Force, Civil Defense, Civilian JTF and
all those who have kept us safe for this past year!
