Originally Posted by Kulturkampf

I watched a film a while ago and I remember being a little upset by what an American said...

Remember, we fight for freedom and we die for justice. We're not fighting and dying for some tyrant like they are. We're just.

Fair enough. True enough. In those circumstances it was entirely true.

But isn't it enough to have lived and died as a soldier? But isn't it enough to have stood and to fought and to faced death itself with a weapon in hand?

There is nothing more existential and beautiful than a dying soldier.

It does not matter what side he was on, it only matters that he fought under the banner.

It is a shame that we ever try to distinguish ourselves from the others as if somehow we are more meritorious.

Honestly, I hope that I would have joined the military if I were an Iraqi or if I were a WWII era German or Japanese; I hope that I would have joined the military today if I were a 19 year old Iranian.

It does not matter what the flag is. This isn't about country or ideals. This is only about the act of soldiering. This is about the role you have in society.

It is about a certain adventurous spirit and escapism.

It's about hearing stories of soldiers when you were young, being fascinated with this line of work, wanting that adventure and heroism and wanting the toughness.... You know.

If you joined the military solely for patriotic passions there is something wrong with you.

You're more like a terrorist -- some fanatical nut set on upholding some high standard.

There has to be a certain point where one joins because it is who you are and the way that you want to make money.

Of course, a soldier ought to feel a little moved for his nation the way that any businessman should seek to serve his client, but at the same time... To be fanatical is sinful and disrespectful. It is cruel, even, to go to battle with such patriotic fervor as to disregard the humanity of your enemy at such a cost and forget that he, too, shines his boots and maintains his arms and equipment; to forget that he, too, is doing what the French call le beau travail, the beautiful labor of training to kill and finally, resolutely, killing.

The soldier is a sacred occupation.

But I look at my comrades and I do not really see the understanding of what we are doing.

There are a lot of folks who see the ardent patriotism, and that is half and that is good.

There are a lot of folks who see the militant, murderous and hardcore part of it. That is also a good portion of it and I admire that.

There are still others who see the amazing way that we all come together to accomplish such a unique mission as people from all over the nation, executing such profound national tasks and making history. That is a lot of it, too.

But really... Being a soldier is not something you can describe.

It's like being a Skinhead. The more you talk about what you are and what you do and what it means the more confusing it becomes and the more profound, yet at the same time more simple/