Soldiers dying is hardly new.

But our modern armies have created a strange paradox: soldier ‘rotating’ in and out of the battlefield and back home within a few days. Modern soldiers can have a ‘normal’ family life almost parallel to their family life. Many western soldiers currently engaged in war in Iraq or Afghanistan videochat with their families via the internet with their loved ones at home. Horror during the day on duty - family at night via webcam. This has to be a total emotional paradox and maybe extra stress for the soldiers (or maybe consolidation).

But it must be even stranger for the kids: seeing one of their parents only onscreen - but the other parent at home must be going mad with fear. It must be terrible to deal with the chances - knowing that Daddy or Mommy might be killed within a few hours. You might even watch a piece of realtime news about the death of this person.

But there is another question - the question of love and dedication: do you love your country more than your own kids? Are you willing to die for a flag more than being at home and watching your kids grow up?

It is either a sign of great idealism or madness to fight for something bigger than your family.

PS: I am neither brave enough to have kids or fight a war for anyone or anything.