On the eve of battle/game day

I can't wait for this season to start! I'll get to see us play at the shoe and at unc. By all accounts it should be an exciting season. But unfortunately a short one for me. At a date after the unc game I'll leave the country for one more trip to a rough country with rough mountains. Not WV... So as our team and hokie nation prepares for the season and I prepare as well, this is always at the forefront of my mind. Why we fight:

Why Do we fight? Why do we line up shoulder to shoulder with the men next to us, in foreign lands, and put our lives on the line? Those not of our fiber ask this question but rarely grasp the answer. So why then? Why do we, men of action, fight?
Do we fight because we are told too? Ordered by generals into battle or because of the effort demanded of us by coaches? No. Do we fight to not let down those who have mentored us? The Chiefs, the Sergeant Majors. Certainly, no. Sure they provided us with guidance and training. They are why we are prepared. Equipped. Capable of being in the fight. But no, they are not why we fight.
Why then?
For faith? For our beliefs? To protect our traditions? Our way of life? Our family and loved ones? All are valiant reasons. But these are the reasons we stepped forward. Why we step up when called and put our lives on the line. Why we leave the comfort of our homes, our country, our families to go to unknown places. To take the fight to those who would harm us. Yet none of these are why we fight.
When the altercation becomes physical. When bullets crack and dust flies, not even self preservation is why we fight. Certainly this reflex is there. To fight or run. But running is not an option; we are not here for ourselves and fight not for ourselves.
Why then? If not for generals and country, or faith and family?
When the moment to fight arrives there is only one reason to dig in and return fire at all cost. We fight for these men that stand shoulder to shoulder with us. Next to us. In a line. Our hands in the dirt. Fist clinched. Throwing lead and our bodies down the field of battle. Because at that moment no other reason matters. Your generals, your country, your traditions, not even your family. None of those are there with you. None of them can help you.
Only your brother.
You fight for him.
That is everything.
To fight for your brother and him fight for you.
That is why we fight when placed in battle. That we would give everything for those who are there giving everything for you.
That is why we fight.