As we observe Memorial Day and reflect back on the enormous sacrifices made by men and women on behalf of this country, we have to take a moment to ask the following question: "What am I fighting for?" Think about it. Thousands upon thousands of men and women have given their lives in a cause - the cause of freedom. They fought and died in the Pacific. They fought and died in Europe. They fight and die in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It's because of the sacrifices of men and women that we didn't know - strangers - that we enjoy the many privileges of living in this country. We have the freedom to pursue our dreams because others endured the nightmare of war for us. We have the right to choose our elected officials because others chose to fight and die for us. We have all the blessings of living in this wonderful land because others were willing to face the curse of death for us.

When you think of it in those terms, it's almost impossible to fathom that we could ever repay the debt that we owe these men and women. Yet, I believe that we can pay it back and we can do so by living lives worthy of the sacrifices made for us. Now, I surely can't speak on behalf of these heroes but I don't believe that they gave their lives so that we could engage in the pursuit of worthless possessions and meaningless distinctions. I can't imagine that the soldiers of World War I fought and died just so you could have a Mercedes or a plasma TV set. Likewise, I don't think the men who perished in the jungles of Vietnam made the ultimate sacrifice so that you could be named Salesperson of the Year or win first prize in the county fair's cabbage growing competition.

Now, please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that you shouldn't have nice things or be recognized for your hard work. Possessions and accolades are wonderful but they shouldn't be the central focus of your life. As I've said many times before, if all your kids have to write on your tombstone is "Here Lies Daddy, He Had a Lexus," then you will have missed a major piece of the life puzzle. Perhaps, even worse, you will have made a mockery of the valiant sacrifices made on your behalf.

Our lives should count for something; something larger than the acquisition of the latest toy or a title. Future generations should look back at our contributions with the same respect that we look back at the sacrifices of our predecessors. Our fathers fought and died for our present. Surely, we should be able to live for our children's future.

Therefore, what I'm proposing is that each of us take a long, hard look at ourselves ask the question: "What am I fighting for?" And perhaps, more important, "Who are you fighting for?" Are you fighting for your own prestige, power and comfort? Or are you fighting for your children and their children? Are you fighting to make a buck or to make a difference? Are you fighting to make the world a better place to live or are you fighting to better your place in the world?

Your answers to these questions will determine the quality of your dash. Remember, the worth of your dash isn't measured by its length, but rather by its breadth. It's not how long you live but how well you live. Or in other words, it's not how far your dash extends but how wide it extends; how many people you touch with your words, thoughts and actions.

Therefore, make a decision today that you're going to start expanding your dash. You're going to find a way to make a meaningful difference in other's lives. You're going to start living in the immortal words of Bessie Anderson Stanley:

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction."

The simple truth of the matter is that we owe nothing less to the good men and women who died to make it possible for us to truly live.