This is for the Veterans. *Salute*
{~~}
Stalliongrad
11:37 AM
One month after the Battle of Stalliongrad
To say that the crowd was large would be an understatement. There were at least 50,000 ponies alone. Roughly 1,000 gryphons, 750 Minotaurs, and one dragon. Maybe around 1,000 of the ponies were actual Stalliongrad citizens. Everypony was garbed in black and completely silent. There was the occasional sob from a widowed mare or the cry of a foal asking where his or her daddy was and why mommy was crying.
If that was silent, it became deathly quiet when Princess Celestia walked up to the top of a pile of rubble of what used to be the side of an office building. She didn’t shine with ethereal warmth or wore her kind smile with love and compassion in her eyes. She was the exact opposite. Her mane still flowed, but just barely. It had lost is glow and silk-like appearance. Her smile was gone, replaced with a sad line. Her eyes were dull and still slightly red.
She levitated a thick set of note cards to where they hovered just in front of her, her golden magic surrounding it. She swallowed and sighed, then muttered, “I can’t do this.”
She tossed the note cards up into the air; the crowd gave an anxious murmur, but was silent once more when her magically increased voice spoke. The entirety of Equestria was silent with her image projected through enchanted rainfall to where every city, town, village, and roadway had her visible.
“My advisor wrote that speech to make this seem as though our Royal Guard held back the Diamond Dog invaders with no effort, fighting valiantly without fear of death or defeat.” She sighed once more, “I’m not going to sugar coat this for you, my subjects. This unprovoked attack killed three thousand of the Royal Guard, seven thousand of the local police force, and…” She paused to suck in a shuddering breath and to stop the tears, “Twenty-five thousand of Stalliongrad’s civilian population.”
There was cry of anguish from numerous places in the crowd, a few developed into sobs. Princess Celestia bowed her head for a minute before sniffling a couple times.
“Those that stayed behind to defend Stalliongrad even after the civilians had been evacuated were those that had been trapped in the very building you see to your left.” She paused to let some ponies take in the sight.
Twilight Sparkle, who was trapped along with the Guard, took in the building in front of her eyes, which was easier now that she didn’t have to duck under fire every nanosecond. It was a two story complex with the Equestrian seal above the main doors—which were now gone. The roof, back, and left walls of the second story were missing entirely, lying amongst the destruction of the financial district. There was a flag pole in front of the building, with the Equestrian flag still upside down and at half mast, moving slowly in the wind with numerous holes and rips and tears in it. The rims of the now shattered windows were scorched black from the Diamond Dog flamer units.
She recognized the spot where a sapphire-tipped spear had missed by a literal hair; she could still see the purple lock of hair against the spear-head. She could vividly remember blasting a hole through the stomach of the Diamond Dog that had nearly killed her. She smacked her lips quietly, as if she could still taste the coppery tang of the canine’s blood against her taste buds. She turned back to face the crowd and the backside of her mentor, nothing from the innocent Twilight still in her eyes.
Princess Celestia started again, “Stalliongrad would have been lost in less than a day if our Guard hadn’t acted as quickly as they did. I stayed up for several nights after the casualties were all accounted for. I was wondering where I went wrong. I had become lax in the past few decades, confident in our nation’s safety. I realized how wrong I was when the reports of an invasion started coming in. I had ridded us of all but two of our armed forces because of my confidence, and we paid for it, not just with the cold realization of warfare, but with the lives of over thirty thousand Equestrians.”
“So, it is why we are all here today, to remember, to never forget, those that fought and lost their lives so that others may keep theirs. There was a common saying around fifty years back: ‘If the death of one pony could mean that a hundred, thousand, even a million ponies might live, would you do the deed? What if that life was yours? What if your life was the one that had to be taken?’”
“That is why, to honor and to remember those that lost their lives on that horrid day, I am naming that building and the surrounding area the Stalliongrad Memorial, with the name of all thirty thousand plus Equestrians that lost their lives engraved on the obsidian wall you see behind me…”
She was quiet for a few minutes, her head down. Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard, lifted his head and said, “A salute.”
Every Guardspony saluted, Twilight walked over to and stood next to her brother, and saluted as well. A Unicorn mare wearing Guard armor levitated a trumpet to her lips and started playing Taps. Everypony across the entire nation was silent, to honor and to remember those that had fallen.
(Don’t continue reading until after Taps is finished, please)
After Taps was finished, Princess Celestia walked over to a pedestal that was covered by a cloth. She lifted the cloth, folded it neatly, and put it on her back, not letting it touch the ground. On top of the pedestal was an obsidian plaque with the words imprinted in marble.
It read:
Here is the location
Of where the Royal Guard fought tooth and hoof
To protect their friends, families, nation, and their brothers-in-arms
Three thousand of the Guard’s lives may be lost
But they will never be forgotten
“In times of struggle, stallions and mares will fight to defend
what they hold dear. Be it possessions, family, friends.
These stallions and mares fought to defend
our nation at any cost, but for them the cost was with their life.
If we could ask them if it was worth it, I guarantee that each and every one
of them will say ‘Yes’.” – Sergeant Major Hawk Eye
The unicorn Guardsponies got into a straight line, and sent one beam of magic from their horns for every Equestrian that was lost in the conflict.
Twilight immediately noticed a certain name on the obsidian wall, Private First-Class Sure Shot. Her head lowered as tears streaked down her face, her shoulders shuddering as she cried. Her brother put a hoof on her shoulder. She turned and put her eyes against his shoulder, still crying. Her brother did nothing but embrace her and rub her back.
She still remembered that stallion. The one that was supposed to escort her to City Hall. The one that gave her orders and kept her alive. The one that dove in front of her to take the spear that would have killed her…
But instead it killed him…
It happened fifteen minutes and thirty-seven seconds before the Gryphon and Minotaur reinforcements arrived…
She still remembered…
She would never forget…
CRY
Feels, bro.
Beautiful
War is ugly, nobody can deny the cruel nature of war. Yet those brave men and women faced the beast of war with all their might and strength. Let us never forget our brothers and sisters who put their lives on the line so that we wouldn't have to...let us always remember their sacrifice as we go about our daily lives...
1600954 *Salute*
I... I was wondering when someone would do a Veterans Day story. This is short but heartfelt and powerful. One of my OCs wishes to make a statement. *a light yellow pegasus clad in the armor of teh High Captain of the Guard steps forward*
"I, High Captain Storm Runner on behalf of the Equestria Royal Guard and the Equestria Concordiat Self Defense Forces... GUARD! ATTENTION! Present-ARMS!"
Son of a Marine, Ex Coast Guard, father of a Marine. Thank You.
1600965*Moves to attention then Present Arms*
*Manly tears* Every good soldier who dies is in heaven right now. In the real Equestria.
Uh... not sure if this is in good taste, to be honest. I mean, My Little Pony fanfiction? Come on, dude. What the hell?
I'm generally not someone who cares about what "good taste" is, but this was impossible for me to take seriously.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Ouch.. right in the feels. Thank you for this.
1600983 ...I have honestly no idea on how to respond to that statement, not sure if you're questioning the tribute because it's in Equestria, or the fact it isn't an actual Armed Forces tribute on a site like FictionPress. Which or what is it?
...
Oh jeez.
This is too sad. Have all my likes and internet hugs...
...
Your words just struck me in an area very close to my heart. Take all of my feels. Every last goddamn one.
1601021
You wanted to make a tribute to people who suffered unbelievable horrors for an apathetic public and were often screwed out of their reward, and you used magical talking horses.
Let me clarify that I'm not actually offended by this. I'm not angry. I'm just... the idea that someone would seriously make this without any sort of irony and think that it was a good idea blows my mind.
I guess it moved some people emotionally, so I guess you've succeeded. When I read it, I didn't know if I should laugh or just scratch my head.
My grandfather served in the Army, I currently have two brothers-in-law serving, one in the Coast Guard and one in the Marines, and I am myself considering service in the Marines. I just want to take a moment to say thank you for writing this. It really means a lot to see someone write this.
1601129 Well to each their own...
Besides, I know for a fact that there are military bronies on this site, that's the main reason why I wrote this in Equestria in the first place. Fanfiction and FictionPress aren't very active sites and I wanted this tribute to be seen by many people, not by an empty archive page.
1600983
What's not in good taste is the fact that you cannot take this seriously. The fact that someone wishes to honor the thousands of men and women who have died for this country is something to be taken very seriously, and I for one don't see any thing even remotely wrong with this post.
Life... It can be cruel, it can also be joy. In some moments it's both. Risking your life for another, that's one of the many examples of sacrifice, got it memorized? Ah, but lets get on topic, this story is a great message to others about what war can do, it can create many deaths, but most of the time it creates hell. You sir... you deserve a like.
1601148 Oorah, Hooah, and Semper Paratus! *Salute*
Please don't take this the wrong way, but I don't really find it necessary to read your story to like and fave it.
I'm working on a multi universe cross fic which centers on an intergalactic conflict, ponies are e crucial part of my story and I have a scene that resembles this story... I have not faced the horrors of war, but i have family that has and it is not easy... all the suffering and at the end of the day you ask yourself... are you fighting for the right things, or are we just pieces to be played. "Fight for honor, fight for your life. Fight for the balance, FIGHT FOR WHAT'S RIGHT!!!" * salute*
1601168 *Salute*
1601212 *Salute* OORAH!!
1601173 3.bp.blogspot.com/-q5Opz_r9k9s/T_Spj3Yd4xI/AAAAAAAAH_Q/s7jqj4IsQ3Y/s1600/patriotic_celestia_by_sirponylancelot-d55znw5.gif
This... You really did a great job man. I've never been in the armed forces, but some of my family members have, and they tell me stories of their experiences all of the time. This was amazing.
War is not some pretty video game with pleasant visual that you can just run out on the field and go crazy on. It's real, it's disgusting, and its not pretty, real people fight our wars for us, and make the sacrifices that we aren't willing to so that we don't have to. Lives are destroyed and changed forever, and those fighting for us show a true resolve that I could never even hope to have. They don't fight for glory or a title, but for what they believe in. They make the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have so many of the things that we take for granted; their families are changed and some never return home. So I commend you sir, for writing this story dedicated to the veterans.
1601388 *Salute*
Damn... Makes me think of my father, who served in the Marines.
Salute to you my friend
1600983
It's the thought that counts.
Wholeheartedly agree with the motion of this story. Might even take a spot right next to When Towers Fall.
Thank you for this.
Your cover image struck me pretty hard, made each beat of my heart hurt.
I'm the one that came back alive. My high school buddies and I join the service, I was gifted enough to be top of my class, I was offered a high end tech position, nuclear power tech in the Navy. My friends joined the Marines.
So when 9/11 happened and we were all deployed, I skulked around in a nuclear submarine while my best friends fought and died for what we all believed in.
Ian C.
Joshua B.
William J.
*Salute*
You will never be forgotten.
static2.fjcdn.com/comments/American+Dash+is+the+best+for+a+wallpaper+_1a3e902ae6cb272604eeaf9322d8aad2.jpg
1601480 *Salute*
Good job on the story. Reminds me of the fact I have relatives that served in the Armed Forces.
I am sorry, but I have no words of how to express my gratitude for such a tribute to the men and women in our Armed Forces. All I can say as a SSgt of the US Air Force, thank you.
1601630 *Salute*
Moment of silence...
Many go.
Few return.
Thank you so much for posting this story. It means so much on this day.
In honour of our veterans. Lest we forget.
To all who died for their country
and to veterans around the world;
both foe and friend alike.
*salute*
1601129 the fact is a community like our's actually cares for such feel's. all other's are desensitized by all the uninterrupted violence they take as entertainment. Video games and violent movies are fine, but some see it so often that to see it in real life, might not be considered 'too weird'. War is not fun, all who actually learnedly this firsthand have gained my respect.
To have experienced and enjoyed such violence is either cruelty unbridled or insanity unreined.
I don't love my country, But I am every bit grateful and respectful to those who protect what I can and can't appreciate.
I hope everyone who reads this gets my feels.
just... straight in the heart.
Thank you. You sir are a wonderful person for doing this. But more importantly thank all of those serving in our armed forces. If you read this I want you to know that I love you and honor you for all that you have done. I hope you will be able to stay with your loved ones for many years to come.
All military men go to heaven, of this I am sure.
*salute*
I'm shaking right now after reading this. Thak you for that. I needed it.
I'm glad that stories like this exist. It makes me happy every time I see someone who truly respects soldiers. For this, I salute you.
-salutes-
"On the contrary, the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: 'Only the dead have seen the end of war.'"
-General Douglas MacArthur, addressing the cadet class at West Point
This was a very moving story. Taps nearly brought me to tears.