The Long Night

We stood there in silence, never asking for more; we stood prepared for the violence, garbed in full raiment of war. In a moment of lightning, a flash and a flare, our defenses fell to the frightening, our fortresses laid bare. We knew what lay ahead, and yet we carried on; we experienced the chaos, the dread, and still, the still face we don. We bent our backs through the long night, battled the forces arrayed against our ragged platoon; to learn, to grow, to know what it is to fight - to prove we and our forefathers of the same stone were hewn. Then, after so long a struggle, finally came the dawn. The sun rose, and we were men. The sun rose, and all regrets over the pain were gone. The sun rose, and we knew strength stood within our ken. As our leaders spoke words over what we had just fought, I felt on us the strings with which fate so often intervenes; heard the call and knew what we had ultimately wrought. As the colors flew, we saluted; forever we are Marines. Ever on in silence we'll stand, awaiting orders, waiting on your need; the eagle, globe, and anchor forever our brand, semper fidelis eternally our creed.