Not Many Wise

I know I have been going on big time about the book “A Hobbit, A Wardrobe and a Great War” but I just read a sentence I really like. “The exploits of the hobbits reveal how the unforeseen and unforeseeable acts of will, and deeds of virtue of the apparently small, ungreat, forgotten, in the places of the Wise and Great, shaped the destiny of nations.”
Our history is full of the remembrance of Kings and Queens, the gallant, and the leaders of battle.  If fortunate, there is a plaque to remember the ones who did the fighting, and were responsible for the ultimate outcome. 
The Wise and Great are needed to plot the course, and determine what will possibly bring the best outcome.  Alexander the Great was really good at that, as was Saladin, William the Conqueror, Napoleon, the Duke of Wellington and others.  There have been many generals who’s strategies made the difference, and who are remembered. 
What we don’t see much of, is the glorification of what seems to be considered the also rans.  There are not many who are not considered wise, or mighty or noble mentioned.  In movies they are the extras.  In the movie Galaxy Quest, there was a guy who insisted on a name, as he knew the “no name crew member” always dies.
It seems I am a no name crew member.  There will not be sonnets written about me, or tales told of my exploits. My deeds will not be the stuff of legends, but I have a part to play.  It is not a bit part.  It is an important part. 
For it to be important, there has to be many like me.  We all need to pull together, to achieve the same goal.  It does not mean we all do the same thing.  Someone may be really terrible at what I do.  I may see someone else’s role as seemingly inconsequential.  Cooks, mechanics, medics, soldiers are all needed.    If one fails to do their job, the quest can fail.  However, if all do their job, the quest can succeed.
Some it seems say, “oh that may have been right once, but it is too late now.”  It seems to me, it is never too late.  It may be that I have been involved from the very beginning, and another may join at the last minute.  As far as I can tell, we are all needed.
The movie Hacksaw Ridge was based on the experiences of Desmond Doss.  He was a pacifist soldier.  He would not fire a gun.  At first, he was the source of derision of his fellow soldiers.  He won their respect though, because he willingly went and got people who had been left for dead.  His role was different, but it was important.  Soldiers lived to tell the tale because of him.
My role may be different, but it is important.  The chances are, it will never be mentioned in the corridors of power, or have a Day of Remembrance celebrated in its honour.  However, it may be that the role I play, is the difference between winning and losing – the straw that broke the camel’s back.