I know from personal experience that engaging with your
I know from personal experience that engaging with your community and helping others helps foster a sense of shared sacrifice and - at a time when our politics seem more focused on tearing us apart than bringing us together - that shared sacrifice will help us rekindle the national unity that has made us the strongest nation in the world.
The words of Tammy Duckworth burn with the strength of lived sacrifice: “I know from personal experience that engaging with your community and helping others helps foster a sense of shared sacrifice and—at a time when our politics seem more focused on tearing us apart than bringing us together—that shared sacrifice will help us rekindle the national unity that has made us the strongest nation in the world.” In this testimony, she speaks as both soldier and citizen, one who has borne wounds for her country and now seeks to heal its divisions with the fire of solidarity.
Her meaning is clear: when individuals bind themselves to the needs of others, when they serve not for themselves alone but for the community, they forge bonds stronger than faction or ideology. Shared sacrifice becomes the foundation of unity, reminding each citizen that the nation is not a collection of isolated interests but a living body, whose strength depends on the care of all its parts. Without this sacrifice, politics degenerates into division; with it, politics is redeemed as service.
Duckworth’s words spring from her own history. As a helicopter pilot in the Iraq War, she lost both legs when her aircraft was struck. Yet in her recovery, she did not turn inward but outward, using her voice to fight for veterans, for the disabled, and for those left unheard. Her life itself is proof that sacrifice can be transformed into service, and service into unity. She teaches by example that politics at its best is not the grasping for power, but the harnessing of shared struggle into common strength.
History offers many parallels. During the Second World War, the American people rationed food, metals, and fuel, enduring hardship together for the sake of victory. This shared sacrifice knit the nation as one, transcending class and region. By contrast, when nations demand no sacrifice, or when burdens are unevenly borne, unity dissolves, and politics becomes a theater of resentment. Duckworth’s words warn us not to fall into this trap, but to remember the power of sacrifice freely chosen and shared.
So let this be a lesson for future generations: unity is not born from slogans, nor from leaders alone, but from the willingness of each person to give of themselves for the greater good. Shared sacrifice is the truest form of patriotism, for it binds strangers as brothers and sisters, and turns the many into one. When politics forgets this, it becomes division; when politics remembers it, it becomes the forge of nations.
NNQuynh Nhu Nguyen
Tammy Duckworth makes a compelling argument about the role of community engagement in fostering unity, especially in today’s divisive political environment. But how do we ensure that such efforts are inclusive and not just limited to certain groups? In a nation as diverse as ours, what does shared sacrifice look like for everyone, regardless of their background or political affiliation? How can we ensure that efforts to bring people together are meaningful and truly unify all parts of society?
NTxoan nguyen thi
Duckworth’s perspective on shared sacrifice as a means of rebuilding national unity is inspiring. However, I wonder how realistic it is to expect that community service can resolve political polarization. While helping others is undoubtedly a noble and unifying act, does it tackle the root causes of division, such as political misinformation or economic inequality? Can we truly foster national unity through local acts of kindness, or do we need a broader political and cultural shift?
HLNguyen Hoang Long
Tammy Duckworth’s words are powerful and hopeful, but I wonder if community engagement is enough to heal the current divide in our society. We often hear about the importance of shared sacrifice, but in practice, it’s hard to see people putting aside their differences. How can we move past political gridlock and bring people together to truly make a difference? Is it possible to shift the national conversation from division to unity through local action?
KTLe Nguyen Khanh Tam
I appreciate Tammy Duckworth’s point about shared sacrifice and its potential to bring about unity. In today’s hyper-polarized political climate, it feels like many people are more focused on differences than what unites us. But can community engagement alone heal the deep political rifts we see today? Do we need systemic changes to create lasting unity, or is personal involvement in communities truly enough to rekindle national unity?
ATDao Vu Anh Thu
Tammy Duckworth's quote emphasizes the importance of community engagement and shared sacrifice, especially in times of political division. It makes me reflect on how disconnected many people feel from one another, and whether fostering a sense of unity through community action can really help bridge those divides. How can we encourage more people to get involved in their communities, especially when politics seems so divisive? Is community service the key to rebuilding national unity?