Will you be prepared to die?

As a young man I was asked by friends what would make me happy and fulfilled. It was a wee discussion amongst fellow fifteen year olds outside the Co-op butchers shop in Hamilton. The Seven Day War had just happened and the press was full of Israeli propaganda. I think the Sunday Times had a supplement celebrating the event.
Will you join up? Will you be prepared to die? Will you take the oath? Such was the talk of young men.
Idiotic I know. The young have no idea really.
I said no. I would rather be a writer really.