More Alike Than Different: Remembering What Unites Us on Independence Day

I was recently called for jury duty in a criminal trial in federal court. That majestic courtroom, with its stately gold chandeliers and painting of the signing of the Constitution, reminded me of the sacrifices made by so many generations to preserve the freedoms we take for granted.

Our justice system is flawed, as the judge sternly reminded us, but we are one of the few nations in the world where the accused is treated as innocent until proven guilty. Our duty if selected as jurors, she added, was to uphold those principles and to serve for the duration of the trial, regardless of how long it might take.

As our country’s 250^th birthday draws near, I’ve been reflecting on the sacrifices so many Americans have made to preserve our freedoms. Many of us have become so isolated in our own little bubbles that we forget about the values that unite us. We’ve allowed ourselves to be consumed by whatever squabbles social media is amplifying at the moment.

I really struggle when I see that kind of disunity. Generations of military service members and their families have sacrificed so much to protect the freedoms we enjoy. In my own family, my mom’s uncle was aboard one of the few American ships at Pearl Harbor that was spared during the Japanese attack in 1941. A grandfather, three of my uncles, and three of my cousins are either serving or have served in branches of the military. One cousin missed years of his young son’s life because he was deployed … a sacrifice that I, as a father, feel deeply.

My cousin Scott Kirkpatrick served four combat tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, earning multiple Bronze Stars for heroism, a Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. After witnessing the full cycle of Scott’s career, from his graduation from West Point to his elevation to the rank of colonel to his recent pivot to leadership consulting, I admire and appreciate all that he has given for our country.

Some of our customers have also shared stories about their military service. Early in the conflict in Iraq, a chiropractor in the Army Reserves left behind an infant daughterand all his patients for what he was told would be a three-month deployment. In a surprise announcement two months later, the commander had his battalion’s weapons locked away and said their assignment would be a full 365 days of “boots on the ground” … news that drove many of those tough, combat-hardened soldiers to tears.

Our soldiers don’t get to pick the wars they fight. Some give their lives. Others are trained to kill, and you don’t kill people and walk away without suffering from some form of PTSD. I can’t see the sacrifices these brave soldiers have made without being moved.

So, this Independence Day, I hope we’ll all remember to look away from our petty squabbles long enough to focus on the first word of our country’s name: United. The values we share, including justice for all, economic opportunity, and self-reliance, are far more powerful and consequential than the bickering that divides us.

About that federal jury: I wasn’t chosen to serve that day. But I try to uphold the values and principles we share in other ways. My parents taught me to respect and make connections with people from all walks of life, from the guy who picks up my trash to the truck drivers who stock our warehouse. I am teaching the same values to my young son. As you celebrate this month, I hope you will support unity among us too, in whatever way feels right to you. If you take even a small step toward carving out connections with others, you may be surprised to discover how many fundamental values you share!