As we pause to remember all of the sacrifices made for our freedom today, Devan Grewal, youth contributor shares the award winning poem that he submitted to the Royal Canadian Legion Literary contest last year when he was in grade eight. Thank you Devan, for giving us pause and for helping us to remember…
The Unknown Soldier
By: Devan Grewal
It was not easy leaving my family.
When I was a kid, war was a fantasy.
But now that I was going, I snapped back to reality.
It was like I was walking straight into mortality.
It was the battle of Dieppe, 1942.
I was truly scared to fight, but I desired to.
My fears were as cold as the icy air.
But then I saw land and I said a prayer.
We saw the enemy fort and saw the German tower.
We needed strong men now, there was no room to cower.
Wading through saltwater, stepping off the boat,
I needed to be ready to have guns to my throat.
I ran into battle and held my ground.
I heard gunshots, screams, and other horrible sounds.
The enemy was near and I could feel my fear.
I knew my future then, it was quite clear.
One bullet came, piercing through to my chest.
I fell to the ground but wasn’t ready to rest.
I was losing my life…losing my sight.
My eyes started to close, I couldn’t see the light.
My memories began flashing right before my eyes,
My final thoughts were full of what ifs, and whys?
I was not looking for renown, I was not looking for fame.
I was just hoping that someone, anyone, would remember my name.
