I selected these ten—Mark Kelly, Dan Crenshaw, Mikie Sherrill, Wes Moore, Todd Young, Brian Fitzpatrick, Seth Moulton, John James, Don Bacon, and Jared Golden—not because I agree with all of their decisions, but because I have grown to know and respect them. We built relationships of trust deep enough for honesty and, at times, vulnerability. I traveled to hometowns across the country, spoke with veterans who served beside them, and met parents, spouses, siblings, staff, and friends to understand who they are, how they chose public service, and what happened in moments of courage.

Taken together, these ten offer a rare perspective across party lines at a pivotal moment in our history, as our republic—in its 250th year at the time of publication—approaches what some historians have described as the average lifespan of empires.

Foreign adversaries seek to exploit our divisions, while polarization weakens our ability to respond to internal challenges. Millions of families are uncertain whether their children will inherit a better future. A widening mental-health crisis touches every generation, bearing most heavily on the young. And a technological transformation is reshaping work itself, making it harder for many to find meaning.

The same polarization that weakens our political institutions now seeps into every corner of American life. More than 80 percent of voters on both sides view elected officials from the other party as “a clear and present danger to American democracy.”

We created With Honor to bridge partisan divides—in the House, the Senate, and state government. This book shows how such bridges can be built and sustained through service, and the results they can deliver for the country.

Courage can save us as a nation, from ourselves. History suggests that great civilizations, such as ancient Greece and Rome, are rarely undone by conquest alone. More often, they erode from within, weakened by corruption, internal strife, and civic decline.

The lives of the ten Americans profiled here point towards few simple truths: that Americans have more in common than our outrage-driven politics reveal; that shared values can still overcome partisan differences; and that it is often harder to truly hate someone once you know them.

Courage can also save us as individuals. I first encountered it not as an abstraction, but as a scar on my father’s face, a mark left by service and carried quietly.

As I have grown from a boy into a father myself, I have seen courage many times in others. It appears in moments of choice, when fear is real, the risks are high, and the outcome is uncertain.

This book is about ten Americans who have chosen service at a difficult moment for the nation they love. What we do with their stories—how we recognize courage in others and assess it in ourselves—is where the work truly begins, for us and for our country.

At a time when trust in major institutions is at historic lows, veterans continue to earn remarkably high public confidence. That’s why our partners at the With Honor Institute joined with Gallup to launch a landmark study measuring public trust in veterans as a unifying force across America’s political divisions.

The Gallup–With Honor survey of more than 2,000 adults found that 55 percent of Americans are more likely to vote for a candidate with military experience. In contrast, only 7 percent say it would make them less likely. That trust doesn’t come from politics — it comes from experience.

Veterans have consistently proven they can lead under pressure and work towards a shared mission. Eighty-two percent of Americans say veterans demonstrate strong leadership skills. Seventy-eight percent believe they put the nation’s interests ahead of their own. And nearly as many agree they know how to bridge divides and work across differences. These qualities, shaped by service and sacrifice, remain essential to the health of our democracy.

Service That Continues

Today’s generation of veterans is carrying that ethos into new forms of service. In Congress, the 37 veteran members of the For Country Caucus are working across the aisle on issues that strengthen our country and support those who serve. Representatives Don Bacon and Chrissy Houlahan, for example, joined forces to deliver the most significant pay raise for junior enlisted service members in decades. Senators Todd Young and Mark Kelly are advancing bipartisan legislation to rebuild America’s shipbuilding capacity — a critical investment in national security and economic growth.

These leaders demonstrate that principled service doesn’t end when military service does. It simply takes on new forms.

Veterans as Bridge Builders

The Gallup–With Honor study also found that Americans trust veterans well beyond the ballot box. Eighty-three percent trust veterans to lead disaster response efforts. Seventy percent trust them to help shape foreign policy. Sixty-eight percent trust them to serve effectively in community leadership roles. From city halls to Capitol Hill, veterans are viewed as steady, solutions-oriented leaders.

A Call to Lead Once More

That trust is being met with action. Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, With Honor is tracking 474 verified veteran candidates running in federal races nationwide — 395 for the House and 79 for the Senate. With more than seven months to go before final filing deadlines, veterans are on pace to surpass the 513 candidates who ran in last year’s elections.

These men and women are stepping forward to serve again, this time in a different uniform. Their sense of duty, discipline, and results-oriented approach can help restore civility and purpose to our governance. But they can’t do it alone. They need a nation willing to support leaders who put the country above party and service above self-interest.

This Veterans Day, let’s do more than express gratitude. Let’s support veterans as they continue to serve — leading our communities, strengthening our democracy, and reminding us that unity is still possible. When veterans lead, America is stronger, steadier, and more united.