The following is by no means an invented fact. - "As long as I am in charge of this unit, I will watch over each and every one of the men under my command" With this phrase the speech concluded. The Colonel had given as usual, before each celebration, the typical military spiel that used to have no content, although this time he had made a very daring commitment.
During the same, some military virtue was extolled referring to the specific situation of the tribute; but that end, for many, if not all, was only an empty promise that would never be fulfilled. No one expects any favor or reward.
The regiment's atmosphere was not exactly spirited. Later, the customary toast came and would end as usual: in a long time drinking and drinking between talks without substance where everyone counted their boring battles. Nothing out of the ordinary, boringly typical.
The phrase remained there, but none or few believed it. Confidence in general was low, and respect was an issue that unfortunately remained bound by the imposition of the highest rank on the minor.
In just a few weeks, one of the military suffered an unfortunate accident with a weapon, losing a sensitive part of one of his limbs.
That man remained, due to his lack, no act for active service. His situation from that moment was that of a helpless cripple with no professional future. It would be discharged. A twenty-two-year-old human being, just married, expecting a child and with a mortgage to pay, was exposed to a tiny, priceless, ridiculous, tiny and miserable pension. Achieving a decent future of work would be tremendously difficult and painful. We all knew what would happen: nothing, he would be left to his own devices.
Then, whoever pronounced "As long as I am in charge of this unit, I will watch over each and every man under my command" took action. He moved all kinds of papers. He spoke to the doctors who treated one of his men. He spoke to several Generals. He risked personally and professionally what I am not going to mention here. But that Colonel did not stop acting until his man was granted a pension that was double the salary received at that time. Her man would have his life resolved, at least financially. And he had fulfilled what was proclaimed.
That officer; that boss; that man, that human being in short, kept his word to its ultimate consequences. It was that revealed loyalty that made that regiment regain self-respect. Confidence was restored, and spirits rose markedly. Everyone knew that their boss did not speak triviality, and, most importantly, he did not abandon any of his own.
Talk more about loyalty? No. It will be better to practice it, each one complying with the word given in what he offers until the end.
