Speaking of Somalia, this Return to Black Hawk Down is powerful:
That Ranger’s faith reminded me of Yamamoto Tsunetomo’s Hagakure and its emphasis on accepting and being prepared for death:
We all want to live. And in large part we make our logic according to what we like. But not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. This is a thin dangerous line. To die without gaining one’s aim is a dog’s death and fanaticism. But there is no shame in this. This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai. If by setting one’s heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he pains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.
(Hat tip to gun-nut Caleb.)