las vegasIf it were up to me, David Hart would be canonized. That the world was robbed of such an incredible person at such a young age -- he was killed in combat the day before his 24th birthday -- is terribly, terribly sad. But one thing is for certain: The Royal Marine's last wish made a lot of people very, very happy.

Particularly 32 of his buddies (and their girlfriends).

Before his deployment to Afghanistan, Hart took out a $3 million life insurance policy. In the event of his death, just under $1 million would go to a charity for disabled Marines. Roughly another $1 million would go to Hart's family.

The remaining $1.2 million? I guess Hart really wanted to leave his pals something incredible to remember him by ...

Like an unbelievably amazing all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas.

Now that's what I call a good friend!

There's something else I love about this story, though, besides the fact that it's an awesome example of how strong the bond of brotherhood can be. It's also an awesome example of how to celebrate the life of a lost loved one, as opposed to simply mourning his death. Of course nothing can take away the incomprehensible sorrow David Hart's family and friends are experiencing, but this trip was his way of reminding the people closest to him to live their lives to the fullest. To remember him with joy, not just tears.

In this case, what happens in Vegas won't stay there -- it will live on forever as part of David Hart's memory.

If you had a million bucks to leave to your friends, how would you want them to remember you?


Image via Steven Depolo/Flickr