We Remember — A Requiem for Reach

The war is over. Count the empty chairs. Before we sing of victory, say who isn't there. We remember. Remember Reach. Noble Five, you tore the sky in two. Noble Two, no warning came for you. Noble One, you cleared the way in flame. Noble Four, your killer fell the same. Six held the gun and let the Autumn fly, Then faced the end beneath a burning sky. Five names I carry into all I do; I left that world, but never left you. We remember! We remember! You are why we're standing here. For the names beyond the numbers, For the voices we still hear. We remember! We remember! Every dawn you couldn't see. You carried us. We carry you. Remember Reach. You knew these fields before the trenches came. The school behind us vanished into flame. With shaking hands, you loaded one last round, Then waved us onward, never giving ground. I got the children past the broken wall. Then called your name. No answer came at all. You cracked a joke beside the loading bay, Then dragged me clear and told me, "Not today." You checked my wounds, then went back for the rest. I still remember blood across your chest. The hatch came down between your face and mine. I dream of being on the other side. We remember! We remember! You are why we're standing here. For the names beyond the numbers, For the voices we still hear. We remember! We remember! Every dawn you couldn't see. You carried us. We carry you. Remember Reach. We crossed the roofs on jetpacks, through the flame. You cleared the pad; the frightened families came. You faced the stairs and waved the last ones through. I reached the bird. We kept a seat for you. We learned to fall and make it to our feet. I never learned to leave you in that street. We watched Savannah break against the black. I called your station. Nothing answered back. You gave the drive that might have brought you home, Then kept your guns between us and the storm. I leave your channel open every night. No voice comes through. I cannot kill the light. You said, "Hold tight. I'll get you through the smoke." Your voice stayed level while the windows broke. You put us down beyond the burning ridge, Then turned your Falcon back toward the bridge. I watched your running lights dissolve in gray. You went for those we couldn't take away. We remember! We remember! You are why we're standing here. For the names beyond the numbers, For the voices we still hear. We remember! We remember! Every dawn you couldn't see. You carried us. We carry you. Remember Reach. We had no ranks. My mother had a name. She held the door; the stairwell filled with flame. "Go on ahead. I'll follow when they're through." I grew up hearing footsteps that weren't you. And those who never chose a cause or side, Who only wanted home before they died - No song can make it right that you are gone. We save a place for you and carry on. We remember! We remember! You are why we're standing here. For the names beyond the numbers, For the voices we still hear. We remember! We remember! Every dawn you couldn't see. You carried us. We carry you. Remember Reach. You carried us. We carry you. Remember Reach! For those who held us. For those we couldn't save. We remember Reach. We carry you.