My hometown is unique! We are a very patriotic community. For one, Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the birthplace of the Medal of Honor. While President Abraham Lincoln authorized the medal for conspicuous bravery in combat in 1862, the first medals were not awarded until 1863.

Nineteen were given to “Andrew’s Raiders,” who stole the train “The General” near Atlanta, Georgia, destroying track and telegraph wires until being captured. Another 33 were awarded for the battles around Chattanooga the following year (1863). Nine of the 24 raiders are buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

The Charles Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is located in Chattanooga. Chattanooga is also home to a nonprofit called Honoring the Sacrifice Foundation. This organization raises funds to help severely wounded veterans with needs that cannot be met by other sources. I have had the great honor of working with both organizations.

It was at the Celebration of Valor luncheon sponsored by the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center where I heard Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha. He fought in one of the bloodiest battles during the war in Afghanistan. In 2009, Romesha’s platoon of only 50 men held off a superior force of Taliban fighters. More medals were given for bravery during that battle than any other engagement I know of.

My wife and I both noticed that during Clint’s recounting the events of the battle, he talked about his men and their love for each other. He spoke of their bravery, sacrifice, and willingness to risk their lives to save others. He never told us what he did to receive our nation’s highest medal. That’s what real heroes are like. I know because I have met them and served with them. My twin brother Ron is one of those heroes (three Purple Hearts and a Navy Cross during Vietnam).

As Clint described the horrors of the battle and the courage of his men to risk their lives for each other, he made a comment that resonated in my heart and soul. First, he spoke briefly of each one’s background and then he said, “They came together, putting aside their differences to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”

That’s the America I know — people caring about each other and doing what is right. We know America is not perfect. It can never be perfect, because people are not perfect. We are all flawed; but we try to learn from our past and our mistakes. We try to do better. In so many ways, America IS a better place than it was 50 to 100 years ago.

But something has changed in America. There is a new generation of people who seem to hate this country, seeing only what is wrong but not trying to make it right. Complaining doesn’t change anything. Doing something does! It’s time for politicians of both parties to do their jobs and conduct the nation’s business.

Let’s stop cursing the darkness and light a candle. Let’s offer hope to the hurting, not bumper-sticker slogans.

Clint and his platoon were fighting to preserve the freedoms Americans have enjoyed for over 240 years. As my friend Mark Alexander says, “Live your life worthy of their sacrifice.”

Something to think about?