The Medal of Honor Can Bring Us Together

In 1858 when Abraham Lincoln declared “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” the future President was speaking about an issue, slavery, unlike any in our history – then and now. Yes, America still has its political divisions, and many fear the chasm between us in today’s cultural-political discourse is again pulling us apart. However, it was Lincoln who presciently gave us a means to bring Americans together – the Medal of Honor.

In his own words, Lincoln said, “I do not expect the Union to be dissolved—I do not expect the house to fall—but I do expect it will cease to be divided.” These words are as true today as they were 165 years ago when Lincoln first proclaimed them on the eve of the Civil War. We may have our divisions, but all Americans are united in our admiration for the brave and selfless recipients – the American heroes – who have been awarded the Medal of Honor. On this we stand together.

President Lincoln awarded the first six Medals in 1863 at a time when the Union army was struggling to hold the line and nation together. The first recipients of the Medal of Honor had fought bravely in an ill-fated raid in the deep South. Many of their comrades had been mercilessly executed. Indeed, the six courageous soldiers Lincoln welcomed to the White House had all suffered in a Confederate prison camp. Yet, they stood their ground.

Lincoln understood – as we all understand – the bravery required to rush into danger to defend neighbors, friends, and families. That’s why even in our differences – our disagreements over politics and culture – we still stand to cheer the hero who nobly sacrifices for a greater cause. By honoring Medal recipients, those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, we are reminded of what unites us as Americans.

With this in mind, next week at the Library of Congress, representatives from both political parties – liberals, progressives, conservatives, libertarians, and moderates – will gather to applaud and commemorate the Medal’s anniversary. This special event – hosted by the National Medal of Honor Museum – will pay tribute to the Medal’s storied history. Sixteen Medal winners will be present – and no one in the room will ask them who they voted for in the last election.

Politics won’t be served but sacrifice and valor will be raised and cheered. Truly, what’s best and true will be celebrated. Lincoln will again be proven right – this house will not fall; our union will not fail. It can’t. We won’t let it. Too many of our neighbors, friends, and families have given (to paraphrase Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address) the last full measure of devotion.

In the long history of our country, only 3,516 Medals of Honor have been bestowed upon American servicemen (you don’t ‘win’ the Medal, although you certainly earn it). All who have received the Medal of Honor are beacons of patriotism and courage whose stories inspire us today and for generations to come.

For example, the World War II bomber crew that redesigned a B-17 bomber so it could map a Japanese-controlled island. The plane was attacked by dozens of Japanese fighter planes, but the crew fought its way through and completed its mission, although the plane was destroyed. “The mapping was a success, and the photos obtained from it were used to generate the maps used in the successful Marine landing on Bougainville—at Empress Augusta Bay—the following November,” as the Medal of Honor Museum explains. Two crew members received the Medal.

The Museum is full of similar stories of Americans sacrificing everything and often losing their lives in service to other Americans.

In Afghanistan, Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller ordered his men back to cover as he engaged the enemy. “After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire while moving from position to position, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded by enemy fire,” the Museum explains. “His extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of seven members of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers.”

In Vietnam, Pfc. Daniel D. Bruce literally caught an explosive charge that the enemy threw toward his position. He held the device to his body and ran away from his position so nobody else would be in danger. Although he was killed, the Museum writes that: “Pfc. Bruce’s indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of 3 of his fellow marines.”

Hundreds of thousands of other Americans also gave their lives on foreign battlefields, fighting for the freedom and opportunity we too often take for granted in our land of plenty. The Medal of Honor should remind us that we live in the land of the free because of the brave.

Lincoln’s courage and leadership steered the U.S. through the crisis of the Civil War. The Medal he created – and the values it represents – can show us a path through our modern-day crisis. As an aide to General Grant said at the end of the Civil War, “We are all Americans.” United by our common values, let us come together to honor Medal of Honor recipients and begin coming together here at home as well.

Jerry Rogers is the editor of RealClearPolicy and RealClearHealth and the host of the 'Jerry Rogers Show' on WBAL NewsRadio. Follow him on Twitter @JerryRogersShow.