The unsung heroes.
That was one of the most horrifying, painful, beautiful parts of the movie. So many of them weren’t prepared, so many were administrators who had no clue that the STRIKE teams had turned, let alone that a killing machine like the Winter Soldier was on the loose.
So many of them died.
And yet none of them hesitated. Despite the propaganda Pierce had unleashed, despite their orders, despite everything, they still responded. Their sacrifice, their heroism – they gave the last full measure of devotion, and I can’t imagine that Steve wouldn’t attend the memorial service, even if he had to use a wheelchair or a cane because his own wounds hadn’t finished healing.
“Captain’s orders” indeed.