After attending a Memorial Day service yesterday, something struck me about the observance. Each year, we are inundated with photos of fallen soldiers, flag-draped caskets and mourning wives, mothers, sisters and children.

Is it not better that we honor our fallen Service members by remembering their accomplishments? Remembering their convictions to their Miliary jobs? Remembering that they selflessly put themselves in harm’s way for a greater good?

I think General George Smith Patton, Jr. (1885-1945) said it best…

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.

To the fallen, whose blood is symbolized by the red stripes of our flag, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for taking part in such noble efforts to create order where there was chaos… for rebuilding what was destroyed… for providing aid to those less fortunate… and most of all, for giving your lives in the course of protecting us, and others, from tyranny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8C7i9kdEf8