Good post! Aside from all the health benefits everyone mentioned I would add one more - fortitude. Sure cardio training is good for physical endurance but the value of fortitude is not given enough credit.
Fortitude is the ability to keep going despite discomfort, pain or other factors that tell you to quit in the back of your mind. Doing something hard, despite not wanting to is a huge benefit when a serious challenge arises. There is an almost zen like quality to it. What makes some people tougher than others? Physical strength? Sometimes. However strength can leave you. Age, injury, illness all can zap physical strength instantly. It is then you need fortitude. Cardio, especially of the rigorous variety, can develop fortitude and the payoff can be huge in a dire situation. So even if you hate cardio, embrace the suck and reap the rewards.