Tribute for the Fallen 44

A man once said that people have to die for things to change.

And it did.

With the sacrifice of 44 men. Men who fought with bravery, with courage, with endeavor and determination we had never seen before. Our Brothers, our People who fought for Justice when none was given and who sought Peace when there was Chaos. Men who risked their lives when none dared, men who took the Last Stand when their legs ached, when their blood ran from wounds and bruises until their last bullet fell, themselves with it. They are the men who gave up their lives, who left home with a heavy heart, knowing that they may never step on the same ground again.

And they couldn't.

Not anymore.

Some may say that the death of the Fallen 44 was absurd, why do we need to sacrifice 100 people just to ensure the death of one? Some may say that that the death of one person, no matter who he is, cannot be justified.

I say not.

The man they assassinated was a man that can make a person destroy his own life to ensure the deaths of innocent men, women and children. A man powerful enough, resourceful enough, to destroy cities, destroy families and destroy minds and hearts of those who survived. A man who showed no quarter, no mercy for people who were not their kind. A man who destroyed enough for the whole world to decide that it is essential for him to die. A man who sheds the blood of countless innocents and calls it "Heroism" and "Ideals".

If he had not been stopped, how many more will die and perish? How many more people will suffer? How many more families will shed tears and grieve for those lives that he and his men stole? How many more sufferings and strife will pass?

They say no more.

The deaths of the Fallen 44 and the sacrifice of the rest were not in vain. With what they had achieved, they had saved countless people, they gave them a new hope, a better future, a dream for peace and liberty. Change.

Let them become the spark that would light up the embers of our hearts, hearts burning of the desire for change and peace.

Let their names be etched not only in the stones or on paper, but in our minds for the next generations to remember.

Let them become the beacons who will guide us - to save us from the darkness that is ignorance and cowardice.

We are one. As we share the glory of our victories, so too should we share the pain of our defeat. In this way we grow closer. We grow stronger.