In the United States, Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor those men and women who died while in military service. Now it’s a federal holiday and it ocurrs on the last Monday in May but it was originally called Decoration Day and it was established on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the American Civil War.

Today, we have our own war dead to remember, along with all those who gave their lives in previous wars, campaigns and conflicts. Just this past week the U.S. Military announced the 1,000th death in Afghanistan and more than 4,000 U.S. soldiers have died in the Iraq War. It’s a sad statement of our times that almost everybody knows someone, or knows of someone, who has given his or her life in the defense of freedom. But Memorial Day isn’t a time to debate the evils of war – it’s a time to remember those who have died in service to their country.

And this act of rememberance isn’t reserved just for Americans. Men and women around the world have died to protect the freedom of their families and friends. More than 4,000 Canadian troops currently serve in NATO’s ISAF Coalition and right here in Mexico thousands of military and civilian warriors have died defending their country against the drug cartels.

So regardless of where you’re from, stop and take a minute today to say a silent “thank you” to those who served – and died – while in the service of your country.

My personal "Thank you" to those who served under this flag