Hero Of The Republic

On the large monitor  
he located the target's exact position.  
Remotely, he guided the drone  
precisely 2000 feet straight over it;  
the drone  
carrying a one thousand megaton bomb.  
He stated his readiness.  
Τhe go ahead was given.  
Firmly the button he pressed.  
On the large monitor  
the target and everything around it went up in smoke.  
He stated the hit.  
Thumps up were given in return.  
Next morning
the news' report on the mission, he watched.  
Five enemy military leaders were killed.  
Also mentioned, five hundred civilian casualties  
- babies, children, women, old folk -  
and more than double injuries.  
- Enemy used shield to protect its leaders -  
Later that day  
at a ceremony attended by his family  
he was awarded the highest honor  
-the Hero of the Republic Medal -  
bestowed on him by the President himself.  
Lunch followed  
and a merry time was had by all  
marred by his sixteen year old daughter's  
questioning and disapproving stare.  
A mental note, he made, for a father - daughter talk  
as soon as his schedule allowed...