Egregoros

@yockeypuck Not heroes, martyrs. They aspired to more and died while striving for it. (Or at least that's what we ascribe to them)

All cultures and subcultures have always venerated those who died while striving for their ideals, no matter if they achieved it or not. I believe it's a natural mechanism for men in order to push away the fear of death and risk aversion and instead go towards what is the best for the tribe.
Before civilization I'm sure they already venerated the guy that got killed while trying to stab a mammoth to feed everyone.

That's what the propaganda for venerating the soldiers that die for oil and jews is trying to fill.