By Edward Tick,from his book, Warrior’s Return: Restoring the Soul After War, via SoldiersHeart.net

“The structure of society and the warrior’s character traits and place in the community were modeled on this buffalo behavior. When danger threatened his people, the warrior’s proper place was in a protective outer circle around the village. As long as he was able, the older or more experienced the warrior, the farther out he strove to be. Young warriors and bulls had to be restrained and trained until they were experienced and mature enough to not waste lives but provide leadership.

Inside the circle the civilians had been protected and sometimes owed the warriors their lives. Now the civilians gave thanks, honor and duty through tending their returning warriors. They became a circle of welcome. They witnessed their stories, grieved or celebrated with them, attended to their necessary purification and healing rituals.”