I've looked at it from every angle, and I truly believe that the average war hawk does not understand war.
After reading book after book on the subject, the one conclusion that every true student of war comes to is identical. War is a horrible, destructive force that must be avoided if at all possible.
(more on da flip side)
According to translations of Sun Tzu, for example, the true epitome of skill in warfare comes not from winning battles, but from winning without fighting.
Miamoto Mushashi, in his treatise on Bushido, "The Book Of Five Rings", stresses the importance of preparedness, and the ability to react rapidly to changing situations. At no point does he ever advocate attack as the first choice.
Although primarily religious in nature, European Chivalry emphasised charity, mercy and faith, qualities often at odds with the "Nuke em till they glow then shoot em in the dark" attitude of modern hawks.
In modern times, books by Edwin Rommel, and the orders (since he never published a book, dying a tad bit too early) of George S. Patton emphasize maneuver in combat, never questioning the act of war, but definately having very specific ideas about how force should be used.
This is only a small sampling, but to truly understand war requires much more study than this. I wonder how many war hawks have ever taken the time to read even one of these books.
I believe, as a peace-lover, that to truly understand why war is evil, it must be studied. The choices and actions that lead to war must be recognized, and alternate paths must be selected by good, educated people. I will not say that history repeats itself if not studied, but I will say that mistakes are repeated if not learned from.
Hawks love war because of its glorification by the media. To love war is to love hatred, destruction, and death. The lies of glory and honor are simply that, leaving only the harsh reality of blood and heat in the battlefields of the world.