A divided America can look to its veterans as an example of how to work together. 

Concerned Veterans of America and AMVETS disagree on a lot in terms of public policy. But our organizations are united in our desire to bring Americans together in support of the ideals of representative government. 

Nate Anderson, our executive director and veteran of the war in Afghanistan, and Joe Chenelly, executive director of AMVETS and a Marine Corps veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, came together to deliver the message that “no candidate or party has delivered on their promise to bring America together, but there are citizens among us well equipped for this challenge: veterans.” 

In an editorial in Task & Purpose, they continue: 

If you proudly wore a uniform as we have, America needs your service now more than ever. As our nation anxiously begins a new year ripe with uncertainty, we call on our fellow veterans to step up and be the example of hope and leadership our society is hungry for. 

Anderson and Chenelly invoke Simon Sinek, author of Leaders Eat Last, the title of which helps explain why the military — even at a time in which faith in other American institutions is wavering — continues to be held in high regard.  

Across our military, commissioned and noncommissioned officers follow an unspoken rule by insisting their troops eat before they do, literally putting the interests of others before themselves. 

These veterans put aside their differences, just as they did on the battlefield, to serve a greater purpose. We can all follow their lead. 

Read the rest of Nate Anderson and Joe Chenelly’s op-ed in Task and Purpose. 

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