An Optimistic 250th

 

When a CBS Face the Nation news anchor asked two Medal of Honor recipients “What makes you feel optimistic?” about this time in the American experience, the following is how they responded:

Lt. Col. WILLIAM SWENSON (Ret): Well, ultimately, because we're in Washington, D.C., and everything revolves around politics, we have to remember that politics aren't everything. American lives continue on. Children are born, children go to school. Lives are achieved. Dreams are achieved. This country is a great place. It's not politics. It's not just what's the news bites coming off of media. Ultimately, we continue forward as a country, continually imperfect, continually evolving forward, always trying to achieve a more perfect union. That's what's important to remember, what we can achieve aspirationally. No other place in history, time or on this planet have we ever gotten to where we are today. We need to be proud of that, and we need to remember that is what we stay focused on, what we can be.

Command Sergeant Major MATT WILLIAMS (Ret): You know, I agree with Will. I think it's so important to remember who we are as a country, and take an opportunity to celebrate that, and think about all the challenges that we've overcome, how far we've actually come. If you frame it that way, thinking very deeply about our trials and tribulations from beginning to today, we've made tremendous strides. Our country is a global superpower. Our economy is doing well. All those things are great. And take politics out of this whole conversation. Just talk about our communities that we live in, the people that you surround yourself with, and your families, and the opportunity to be free and choose what school you go to, and where you want to live and do what you want to do, and what career path you go down or don't. There's so much to be positive about. And I think the opportunity to celebrate America's 250th birthday over the course of this next year is amazing. There's so many great places to visit. The National Mall is going to be full of Americana... celebrating ourselves, which I think we should take the time to do. Something we're very passionate about at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, is a phenomenal beacon that tells the story of the Medal and what it represents. I would challenge people to go there and celebrate our history as well. There's so many great things to do and great things to visit and when you do, celebrate our country, actually celebrate it. Be grateful for what you've got and the opportunity that was provided for you. If you do that, I don't see how you can't be optimistic about our future.

by Matt Vespa on X on May 25, 2026