That's why veterans of combat often feel guilty that they survived, because the dead are taken by blind chance, by circumstance, there is no correlation between the goals they achieved and the sacrifices they endured. No, I'm not a pacifist, and yes, some wars must be fought, and good men on both sides have to die, usually too many because the victories come not at the cost of men, but in spite of them.

The glorious death is a lie for the widows and the mothers, although they are not fooled. A lie to bring the next generation of young fools to the battlefield, although they are not fooled for long. And a lie to keep the old fools cheering and egging them on, they never seem to learn. The dead are not the price we pay for victory or glory, or freedom, or even survival. They are just a tax the process demands, like the treasure we lavish on weapons. Most of it is wasted and it is always too much, and for one side it is pointless. Men die in battle, or later of their wounds, or of sickness or accident or even friendly fire. They just die. Maybe there is no way around it or no way to avoid it, but we should never honor the process or the sentiment in it. It is a sometimes necessary but still colossal waste, to be avoided if possible, and endured if necessary. It is never glorious.