Tapping a soldier out was an important thing, as not only it showed some level of respect towards the soldier, it was of course mentality that played into that too.

And now, you were supposed to tap out your friend after his service, but you weren't there. He seemed pretty hurt, feeling forgotten too. Yet he did not move a muscle as he wasn't allowed to do so.

He was loosing hope, he wasn't expecting you to still show up. But eventually you did show.