No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15:13, The Holy Bible (NSRV)

In the far away land
Of Afghanistan
A young man,
Just 28-years-old,
Has given his life
In defense of
Another.
Under the cloak
Of darkest night
He
And his
Brothers-in-arms
Rescued a captive doctor,
A civilian
With no war-time role
But to humanely serve
Those caught
In the crossfire
Of a brutal conflict.
We're told these brothers,
These SEALS,
Readily and bravely accept
The dangers inherent
In each mission,
Including the very real possibility
Of capture,
Of horrific wounds,
Of even dying,
Yet they willingly,
Quietly,
Serve us
With little fanfare.
Perhaps the least we can do
Is pray for them,
For their safe return,
For a day when
Peace breaks out
And the world no longer needs
Young men
With killer credentials.
We can pray for a day
When a young man's greatest fear
Is being turned down
For a date;
When his most dangerous mission
Is planning a special moment
To propose marriage
To his sweetheart.
And we can pray that each young man
Lives a long, fulfilled life,
And dies at some advanced age,
Surrounded by loved ones,
Peacefully, at home.
It's the least we can do.

c. 2012