War is an event that spreads death and brings pain and anguish to everyone it touches. But at the same time, there are bonds that can form between people during times of war that are different and in many ways stronger than any other kind of relationship. The bond formed between 2 particular men would be even more special than most.

A clean-shaven man named Sammy sat down in front of a computer screen, anxiously waiting for a Skype call to connect. The Canadian had just gotten rid of his beard that morning. “I want him to recognize me,” the former soldier explained, referring to the man who would be on the other end of the call, a guy also named Sammy…