We are halfway to the end of our last minutes of true life now. We pause silently. We rest our burning lungs. But the fire in our hearts grows stronger now. The music builds again, like an avalanche it grows this time.
Emotions spill over with the strength of our performance.
Tears run down onto brass, wood and plastic, over lips, to mingle with the sweat on our hands and uniforms. We are here for our selves only, but we perform for others. We pour out our souls for the staff, for our brethren who have gone on before us. We dedicate this performance to our wounded who cannot be with us, for they have made the greatest sacrifice, and for those who are wounded now, who grind their teeth and go on without a word. They do not go on for themselves, but for the rest of us.