The
Perimeter, in the infantry, is a circle
of men. It is half a squad,
platoon or company. One half is on
guard, staying vigilant, watching for
the enemy, while the other half rests,
sleeps and carries on with life as it
is. They are more than just men; they
are a brotherhood in uniform.
They share their plans, dreams and hopes
with each other. In hard times, they
share their sadness, fears and pain.
They face the enemy together, some like
brothers, others like fathers and sons,
and always as true friends. They find a
spirit in each other that binds them to
one another in a bond that lasts
forever.
As time passes, they will leave the
service and each other. They
will travel many different paths of
life, some to prosper well and others
not so well. Somewhere in life's
travels, these men find themselves lost
in the world, confused, dazed, scared,
unhappy and searching for something;
something they are not even sure exists.
They are not soldiers anymore, they are
called veterans.
Somehow, in their search, they once
again find others like themselves. They
find brothers of the past, brothers of
the Perimeter, that circle of safety,
where someone else shares their pain,
their confusion and their fear. That
Perimeter where that fear is eased,
where there is less confusion. They
share each other's pain in stories, in
tears and in silence. Inside the
Perimeter, eye contact can say it all.
This Perimeter is a circle of life and a
circle of death; it is a circle of
wounded warriors, with wounds of both
flesh and spirit. This Perimeter is a
circle of iron that has never broken. It
is a circle of common duty that knows no
colour, no creed and no religious
ground. The circle will last forever,
through the best of times and the worst
of times.
The Perimeter is a place warriors will
always seek - even for eternity. Just
gaze out at our national cemeteries. For
out there, on the outer edge, ever so
vigilant, are those on the Perimeter.
