We've written over the years about the close camaraderie of servicemembers with one another, something that veterans (both those with PTSD and those without) very much miss upon their return to civilian life. One of the articles was this one, a poetic reference to the "wet bond of blood" in combat relationships, linked here. The following, though, is a quote I ran across today from the Middle Ages, referencing almost the same thing:
"Battle is a joyous thing. We love each other so much in battle. If we see that our cause is just and our kinsmen fight boldly, tears come into our eyes. A sweet joy rises in our hearts, in the feeling of honest loyalty to each other, and seeing our friend so bravely exposing his body to danger in order to fulfill the commandment of our creator, we resolve to go forward and die or live with him on account of this love. This brings such delight that anyone who has not felt it cannot say how wonderful it is. Do you think that someone who feels this is afraid of death? Not in the least! He is so strengthened, so delighted, that he doesn't know where is. Truly, he fears nothing in the world." -- Jean de Breuil, 1465.
