February, 304 Paign Era.
The morning sun bathed the Government Plaza in a warm, golden glow.
At its heart stood an imposing stage, adorned with the royal insignia, draped in vibrant banners and flags that fluttered gently in the breeze.
The stage was set to host royals and ministers who would present awards to the kingdom's valiant soldiers.
In front of the stage, rows of seats were meticulously arranged. These forward rows were reserved for the honoured recipients.
Here, the soldiers who had demonstrated exceptional bravery and sacrifice will sit and wait for their turn to receive the awards.
Slightly further back, elevated bleacher seats were arranged to accommodate the general audience and soldiers' families.
These seats offered a vantage point to those who wished to witness the ceremony, to cheer for the heroes, and to be part of the collective pride that surged through the plaza on this important day.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation.
As the morning sun bathed the plaza, the citizens of the kingdom from all walks of life were the first to gather in the bleachers, filling them to capacity.
The citizens chatted excitedly, sharing stories while waiting for the entrance of the soldiers and the arrival of the king.
After a while, the moment arrived.
A hushed silence swept across the plaza as the soldiers, dressed in their immaculate military uniforms, began to make their entrance.
The reaction of the people was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
As the soldiers passed, heads turned, and eyes filled with a profound respect.
Spontaneous applause broke out, and cheers erupted from the crowd.
These were the heroes who had stood on the front lines, defending the kingdom from threats and ensuring its safety.
The soldiers begin to fill their designated seats as instructed by the coordinators.
The plaza, once abuzz with anticipation, was now a sea of proud faces, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the king to commence the ceremony.
....
"Is this the latest list of recipients?" Riz queried, studying the lengthy document he held in his hand.
There were numerous names listed, a surprising abundance for a ceremony meant to be for medal recipients alone.
"Yes, Your Majesty," William confirmed.
Apart from the medals awarded to a certain few, the kingdom offered a range of benefits to its deserving soldiers.
This included financial compensation for everyone who had been deployed to combat zones or participated in war, recognizing the sacrifices made by these brave individuals.
Furthermore, there was a provision for family support, which aimed to assist the families of soldiers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.
This support encompassed financial aid and access to educational benefits for the fallen soldiers' children.
Additionally, there was a program for disability and wounded to aid soldiers who had been injured or disabled during the war, ensuring their well-being.
"How do you even decide who gets the medal and who does not?" Riz inquired, his brow furrowing with curiosity.
"There are numerous factors that come into play, Your Majesty. It's not a decision made lightly. We consider mission success, recommendations from commanding officers, leadership qualities, skills displayed in combat, and various other criteria. It's a comprehensive evaluation to ensure that those who receive these honours truly deserve them." William replied.
The royal carriage gracefully entered the plaza. Its presence was immediately noticed by the attendees.
The onlookers, both soldiers and civilians, rose to their feet. A collective hush fell over the crowd.
All eyes were fixed on the approaching king.
Riz emerged from the carriage, followed by William from behind and ascended the steps to the stage that had been prepared for the occasion.
The murmurs of the crowd subsided as they took their seats, all eyes trained on their monarch.
In the midst of the plaza, Riz began the ceremony with a solemn and dignified opening speech.
His voice, carrying the weight of authority and sincerity, filled the air.
"Good morning, my people," he began, his words resonating with gratitude. "We gather here today to honour those who have shown unwavering dedication and valour in the service of our kingdom. The sacrifices made by our soldiers have ensured the safety and prosperity of our land."
His speech was short and straight to the point, emphasizing the debt of gratitude owed to the soldiers who had given so much for their homeland.
Rather than dwelling on a lengthy oratory, he chose to keep his words concise, allowing the focus to remain on the soldiers and their contributions.
The ceremony proceeded with the presentation of the Iron Valor Medal, the award with the most recipients.
This medal was a testament to the soldiers' courage and determination displayed on the battlefield, and the king was keen on ensuring that these brave individuals received their due recognition.
A military officer, resplendent in his uniform, brought forth a tray laden with Iron Valor Medals, each gleaming in the morning sun.
The soldier's names were called one by one, resonating clearly through the plaza.
With each name announced, a soldier stood up from the audience and made their way to the stage.
As they ascended the steps to the platform, the onlookers erupted in applause.
Riz extended his hand with a warm smile.
He shook hands with each soldier, a personal touch that conveyed his deep appreciation for their valour.
With a respectful nod, he then fastened the Iron Valor Medal onto their uniform, the medal gleaming proudly against their attire.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for this honour," the soldier expressed sincerely.
"You deserve this, soldier," Riz replied with equal sincerity.
However, not all who came up onto the stage were soldiers.
Some of the medal recipients, the military had decided, were lost on the battlefield.
In such cases, the medals were received by their living family members.
There were widows, their eyes filled with tears, standing tall despite their grief as they appreciated the kingdom for remembering their fallen husbands.
And there were sons, young and proud, stepping onto the stage in the place of their departed fathers, receiving the medals with pride.
The plaza echoed with the heartfelt emotions of gratitude, loss, and remembrance.
Each medal found its rightful place, whether on the chest of a living soldier or into the hands of a family member who bore the weight of loss.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l