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

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm Andrew McGivern for November 11th.Today is Remembrance Day – a solemn day observed across Commonwealth nations to honor those who have served and sacrificed in military service.At 11:00 am on November 11th, 1918, the armistice ending World War I took effect. The guns of the Western Front fell silent at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. What began as Armistice Day evolved into Remembrance Day, expanding to honor all who served and died in subsequent conflicts.The tradition includes observing two minutes of silence at 11:00 am. The red poppy, inspired by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields," became the enduring symbol of remembrance.This day asks us to pause, to remember, and to honor the courage and sacrifice that secure our freedom.General George S. Patton captured an essential truth when he said:"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."Patton's words shift our focus from loss to legacy.Yes, we feel the absence of those who gave their lives. But Remembrance Day isn't just about mourning – it's about gratitude. We're grateful that people of such courage, such conviction, such selflessness existed at all.These weren't mythical heroes. They were ordinary people who answered an extraordinary call. They chose duty over safety, service over self-interest, sacrifice over survival. That such people walked among us, fought for us, died for us – that's the miracle we honor today.Patton understood that the best way to honor the fallen isn't endless grief – it's profound gratitude for the gift of their existence and their sacrifice.A family friend once told us about the white poppy movement – an alternative symbol that extends remembrance to include all victims of war, not just military personnel. It remembers civilians caught in conflict and views soldiers not as heroes to celebrate, but as victims of war's tragedy.It was a perspective I'd never considered. The red poppy honors sacrifice and service. The white poppy mourns the cost of conflict itself – on everyone.I don't think we have to choose between them. Both acknowledge something true. There's room to honor the courage of those who served while also grieving that war claims soldiers and civilians alike, that young people are put in positions where such sacrifice becomes necessary at all.That conversation deepened my understanding of what we remember on this day. Not just valor, but loss. Not just service, but the profound cost war extracts from humanity.Today at 11:00 am, observe the two minutes of silence. Wherever you are, stop.Think about those who served. Consider the weight of their sacrifice. Thank God – or the universe, or whatever you believe in – that people of such courage existed.If you see a veteran today, thank them. Wear a poppy. Attend a ceremony if you can.Remember that freedom isn't free. It's purchased by the courage of those willing to defend it. And we're blessed that such people lived.Lest we forget.That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern signing off for now but I'll be back tomorrow. Same Pod time, same Pod Station - with another Daily Quote.