This is a good attitude from someone who has to do a really hard job. He's got a good perspective on things. Reminds me of a letter written by a young officer who assisted in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp:
Incidentally, your griping about my going to the South Pacific. I have only been in the Army a couple of years. Some of these people were in the hell hole of Dachau for years. If I spend ten years in the Army during war I will never go through what those people go through. Even if I were killed, I would be lucky compared to those people. So if you still feel the jitters remember the people of Dachau and think how lucky I am no matter what happens.
I think both of those people you quoted had their heads on straight.
Personally, when I was a soldier and was wet and cold and bone-tired and miserable, I would reflect on Valley Forge. Really think about it. And realize my lot wasn't so bad.
Those kinds of thoughts keep us strong, and keep us from becoming snivelers.