Ode to the Anonymous Hero

Little Naomi sat on Mommy's lap
Enjoying a Galilee-eve breeze
But six-year old girls are sometimes perplexed
"Mommy, answer my question, please."
 
"What's on your mind, beloved child,
What would you like to know?"
"Tell me, Mommy dear, what does it mean
When a person is called, 'hero'?"
 
Mommy gazed at the mountains, far away
Engrossed in deepest thought
Tears glistened from her sky-blue eyes
As she remembered what the Torah taught.
 
"Heroes, my beloved child, are special people
They are those who are willing to give
They never asks for a thing in return
And that's the reason they live.
 
'Anonymous' is a grownups' word
For those of whom no one will ever know
They shun glory, fame and prestige
But they're the truest hero."
 
"Give me an example, Mommy dear
Of a hero who is unknown
I can't wait to learn these things
Until I'm fully grown."
 
Mommy's tears became a steady stream
Now flowing down her cheek
Little Naomi caressed her ever so deeply
For sometimes only broken hearts can speak.
 
"Some of our soldiers, daughter dear
Don't wear uniforms of olive green.
They do dangerous things in enemy countries
Without ever having been seen.
 
They undermine the plans of the cruel
In Syria, Iraq and Iran
They risk their lives every moment
Doing whatever they can.
 
Doing top-secret missions, some never come home
Their bodies fall in foreign sand
But these heroic souls are never alone
For they rest in Hashem's loving hand."
 
"Now tell me the truth, Mommy dear
Why doesn't Daddy come home?
Is he too an unknown hero
And where does he continue to roam?"
 
Mommy tried to control herself
But the tears now flowed like water
She could no longer keep such a secret
From her beloved daughter.
 
"Your Daddy served behind enemy lines
Performing a top-secret task
No one ever will know what he really did
We're not even allowed to ask.
 
But I do know one thing, most precious child
Your Daddy fought with total dedication
For the good-night's sleep of children like you
And the security of the Jewish nation!
 
I miss him so badly, that is the truth
For Daddy is no longer here
But he'll come back, I have no doubt
For the time of Moshiach is near!"
 
Dedicated in loving and martyred memory of Israel's anonymous secret-service heroes who were killed in action.