Pre-Offensive
“’So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm,’ you say? Does that include exemption from the possibility of a Court Martial? Imprisonment? Firing squad? I mean, the Captain didn’t actually order us to take out that village, but we all know what it’s filled with –every last one of them, even the kids. You’ve seen it yourself. They all know how to toss a grenade and run, right? And that’s what we’re here to wipe out, right? So, uh, even if it’s not spelled out in the plan and even if the Captain hasn’t technically ordered it, that’s what we’re here for, right? I mean, it’s my duty, right? Well, thanks for hearing me out. I gotta get back to the squad now.”
After the Lieutenant left, the Chaplain returned to reconsidering his re-enlistment.
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dVerse Poets
Prosery Monday
~ Doing Our Duty ~
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Scrambled, Not Fried 
Another war poem; and a good one. Viet Nam was my war, so this resonates well with me. Nice job.
A great take on the prompt Ron. I really like the twist at the end!
With a light touch, you depict the dark horror of war crimes. Well done, Ron.!
An excellent take on the prompt, Ron.! That last line is perfect.
You knocked this one so far out of the park that I can barely see it! Wow!
Yours,
David
Confessions of a moral compass broken by war. Wonderful, Ron.
A lot to ponder here, well done!
The claim of just following orders has been used soo many times… the word duty is probably one of the most dangerous words there are.
This hits hard, digs deep .. love what you did with the line!!!!
This is powerfully executed, Ron! You describe the atrocities of war with such precision here.
I feel like this would fit any war, any when. Nicely done.