My responsibility, our responsibility as lucky Americans, is to try to give back to this country as much as it has given us, as we continue our American journey together.  ~Colin Powell

I’ve been spending a fair amount of time lately in rural Kentucky, facilitating training at a manufacturing plant.  This past week the training topic was ethics.  Part of the training included asking everyone to identify their own personal values.  I asked them to first select their top 10 from a long list.  Then I instructed them to circle their top five, and finally I asked them to cross off two leaving their top three.

One of the young men in these training sessions is an ex-marine.  I struggle to call him a retired marine given his age.  He’s a wonderful young man that I’ve been honored to get to know.  One of his top three values was “freedom.”  Hearing a marine state that one of his values is freedom was a powerful demonstration of how our most important moral principles guide our life choices.  I also discovered that his declaration of freedom had a depth of meaning far beyond my own sometimes trite statement of the same word.

Later that day, on the drive back to my hotel, I took a detour through the historic downtown area of this small town.  I came across a park that was absolutely filled with crosses and American flags, honoring those who had given their lives so that I could have freedom.

Now that I live in a very urban environment, I notice that we urbanites aren’t nearly as respectful of, or dare I say grateful for, the fallen heroes who have sacrificed their lives – the ultimate act of leadership.

It’s the day after Memorial Day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t (or shouldn’t) still pause and be grateful, really grateful, for those who have paid the price for our collective freedom.  It’s not hard to find leadership quotes from some of our military leaders.  Here is just a small sample.

My own definition of leadership is this: The capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.  ~George Patton

Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.  ~Norman Schwarzkopf

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.  ~Thomas Jefferson

Live for something rather than die for nothing.  ~George Patton

A better world shall emerge based on faith and understanding.  ~Douglas MacArthur

Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.  ~George Washington

Freedom.  Nelson Mandela said, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”  May all leaders cherish their freedom and live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.