I ask myself this all the time.
I have been reading military history since I was 13 years old. In every culture in every time, there are men (not all)who comprehend honor, duty, sacrifice, courage... In America, we are fortunate because we don't send young men to service with just their courage. They have lots of, and the best equipment, training and leadership. With all this, and once they gain experience, the are a match for... and in reality, better than most anywhere. But even when, as the article demonstrates, they run out of everything else...even with lost or wounded leaders, they continue... on their courage alone.
Great great men, great soldiers. "If you want good soldiers, you make good citizens." They are the best and more than some 'Americans' at home have done anything to deserve. (List of names available)
I read a review of a book called "The Fourth Generation" or something like that several years ago. It talked about how there are 4 (or whatever number it was) types of generations that just keep repeating themselves (like the roaring 20's and the booming 80's were the same type of baby boomer generation).
It said the young people of today (16 to 24 or so) were the same as the "Greatest Generation" of WWII. The book said they would be self-centered high achievers "unless something significant happens that would turn these "high achievers" to the common good". Something significant like "the attack on Pearl Harbor".
This book was written BEFORE 9/11.
These men (and women) are the next "Greatest Generation".