Resolution

He was always taught the difference between right and wrong. As a home-grown country boy, he knew that his life was for God, his mama, and his country, in that order. He knew that a man’s word was his might, and his might didn’t mean anything unless it stood for something. That’s why, when he gave his word to serve his country, he wasn’t afraid. He was resolute in his rectitude. He was resolute through his training, learning to serve without question and learning to trust in his brothers, those fellow men of resolve. When he was dropped into battle and suddenly life-and-death wasn’t theoretical, he was confident. When his fellow men fell and bled for what they stood for, he picked them up and carried on. When those combatants fell and suddenly didn’t seem much different from his fellow men, he persevered. When the women and children were caught in the crossfire and he felt sick seeing their wretched corpses so like the women and children back home, he closed his eyes. When he was confronted with his enemy’s humanity, he wavered. When his fellow man sought out those unarmed innocents, he cried. When that man was not punished but praised for his viciousness, he doubted. When that rot festered in the ranks of his fellow men, he feared it would overcome him too. And when one man’s faith in his resolve shattered, he prayed to God that He would forgive this transgression, committed through his innocence.