These two lads follow a long, long line of chaps, receding into deep history, beyond shores and nations and ideals. They are brothers to Tuscan boys rounded up and turned into a Legion to serve 16 years for Rome at two cesterces a day. They, too, took the sword and spear thrusts and soldiered on, wrapping leaves on the wounds until returning to the fort at night.

Boys, men, serving. Serving well. Quietly, doggedly. Unsung.

My brothers and yours. All our sons.