The winners for the writing competition have been announced last week at RMC Saint-Jean. The winners (Elof Csergo- university level) and the first runner up (Elof Tetrault- college level).
Participants from left to right: Elofs Tetrault, Lesanko, Csergo, Poulin
First place winner Elof Csergo
WHERE DUTY BEGINS
On the bank of the Richelieu River,
A man sits, a giver,
A giver of his truth, his duty, and his valour.
It is for his service, he is meant to deliver.
The chain of responsibility is a trailer.
A prelude, if you will, to the coming labour.
His attention to detail, this prologue refines,
For it will be him who is the future’s leader.
Inspections, parades, and academic twines.
Repeated not once, but several times.
I find it hard to believe it is all for naught,
For it is they who succeed, the one who chimes.
Having moved to a strange place, he was distraught.
Far away from home, without his lot.
Yet here he stands, tall and proud,
For sentiments are temporary, service is not.
This is but a step in a journey that is loud,
Surrounded by one, two, perhaps a crowd.
A crowd, a family, a new world,
In which he is the mast, and they are his shrouds.
If there is anywhere to give it a whirl,
If there is anywhere to completely unfurl,
It is here at the college,
For our career will be in a whole other world.
Second runner up – OCdt Tetreault
Truth, Duty, Valor, to serve, to fight, to defend, live proud, live free, live strong, for those you love, for those you admire, for those you stand for, life, death, glory, one country, one nation, one people, together, forever, stronger, do not give up, do not fall down, do not let go, stand straight, chin high, chest out, the few, the proud, the brave.
Thanks for sharing these. I can really identify with “Where Duty Begins”, as I am still serving in a variety of leadership roles, both as a volunteer and on contract (at the Canadian Forces Colleges).