Please Remember: The Reserve

Please remember the 'others' too,

Those unknown to most,

The ones still standing on guard

In their homelands;

Those held in reserve,

Trained, not called to action;

Perhaps not recognized by others;

The reserve;

On part-time, back-up duty,

Quietly standing,

Patiently waiting;

A sense of accomplishment

In non-active participation;

Guardians of the home front;

Perhaps front-line experience,

Or none,

Only enduring commitment,

Courage and constant discipline,

Determination to win,

To succeed,

For love of God and country,

Regardless of the cost,

Loss to themselves,

Their families or friends;

Delegated in terms of 'if' or 'when',

Whenever;

Who knows them?

Who remembers these men and women?

We do,

And hold them in the highest esteem;

The reserve,   

The 'others' ;

Please remember them, too.

Behind the armed forces stands the reserve.