Died with Honor

                Everyday Tim would share with us about his goals that he wanted to accomplish while he was here. He had wished to become one of the bravest soldiers in the war. “Yes, an honor so great the Queen herself would present it to me,” he would say with a courteous bow, and a pleasant smile.  He often joked about the state of the trench making it easier for everyone around him to cope with their surrounding. He was the life of the not so live party, but there was also a very seriousness about him. 

Tim was very respectful of the dead that surrounded us. In fact he made it a duty that everyone who had died was given a moment of silence. He believed that every man out there died for one thing, whether he said it or not and it was honor.

                I still remember the dreaded day that poor Tim fought his last battle. The Officials had ordered all the men in the front line to advance into No Mans Land, but there had to be a certain number. They must have thought that it was a lucky number, or something of that sort. They sent one of the officials to take back four men out of all the men in the front. Those four would wait until the next advance to go Over-the-top. The official quickly chose the three British soldiers that were there, and then he pointed to Tim as the last of the four excused men.  

                Tim’s eyes widen as a sudden burst of relief swept over his small, but muscular body, but it was almost instantly followed with a straight stone cold look. It was the same look that swept over his face when he saw the heaping piles of the dead soldiers’ corps. Then Tim did the unthinkable. “I can’t Sir. I must go and advance into No Mans Land, excuse one of the other men in my place.” Those were his words. And I pulled him to the side and tried to convince him to stay, but he simply said, “If I stay I’ll die, if I go I die with honor.” Then he went with his troops and advanced.

                I stayed and wept bitterly. I knew that Tim had to do what his heart told him to do, but what about all the other soldiers that had no choice. Tim did it not for himself, but he did it for them.

                Tim did not return after the advance, actually only two men did, but died hours later from fatal injuries. I didn’t see the way he died, but was told by others that the Germans attacked with a weapon they called a machine gun. They said Timothy was only about two meters away from the enemies trench but was shot repeatedly and died shortly afterwards.

                I took the liberty of finding out his address and ways to contact you, with news of your son. Although it might be disturbing at first, I thought it was very necessary for Tim have you know all the wonderful things he has done during his short, but meaningful life.

                Although Tim didn’t get the glorious award presented to him by the Queen, He died with Honor, and I know that’s exactly what he would have wanted.

My deepest regrets to you and your family,   

Reginald Justice