The self is at the center of the universe. And the immediate family. It must be. And any member of the species who is so altruistically motivated to sense otherwise is destined to become a failure. This is nature's way of culling the undesirables of the herd, and ensuring that the strongest and most selfish survive. Ethics is a veneer of deceit imposed on the universe by the self-ordained most highly evolved species. ("Hey, baby, I'm a nice guy. Do me.") And it is a thin veneer that flakes off pretty easily at the first sign of mortal danger.
There is a lot to be said for Angus' comment, but on the other hand many good men have given up their lives for others, 10,000 on D-day alone.
The nature of sensitivity is to put yourself in another's place, or to think of how one's actions and words may be otherwise construed. I have a tendency not to do that. I certainly didn't mean to ignore the bravery of the defenders of the USA, France, England, or, quite frankly, those against whom they waged war, whose efforts were no less remarkable in their own defense of their fatherland. You made a good point. A good counterpoint. I do think many did know that this would be their last day. I think the sargeants and officers were clear about that. But I also think they may have been fighting for the freedom of their families' as much as they were fighting over some abstract notion. Maybe even more so.
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