Trust is fading in America. It's not just about politics. It's about how we treat each other. People are feeling ignored and left behind. This isn't new. It's been happening for years. But it's getting worse.

In war, trust is everything. Soldiers rely on each other to survive. Without trust, even the strongest army can fail. The same goes for communities. When people don't trust each other, everything falls apart. Look around. Election workers are threatened. Public servants are harassed. The National Guard is deployed without governors' requests. ICE raids happen without transparency. This isn't normal. It's a sign of deeper problems.

People are tired. Tired of division. Tired of being talked at instead of listened to. They want leaders who care. Who show up. Who tell the truth. Not just in words, but in actions. Trust isn't built by titles or speeches. It's built by showing up, telling the truth, and staying present. Especially when it's hard.

War teaches us the limits of force. You can't win with weapons alone. Lasting peace comes from relationships. The same goes for communities. The loudest rhetoric won't fix what's broken. But humility, presence, and shared purpose might. A trusted neighbor can de-escalate tension faster than a patrol car. A local leader who shows up consistently can do more than any press release.

Shared hardship builds stronger bonds. After 9/11, it wasn't politics that united us. It was need. First responders ran into danger. Strangers helped strangers. People lined up to serve. What if we brought that same urgency to the civic threats we face now? Like disinformation, institutional distrust, and division?

Service is the antidote to polarization. In the military, people from every background serve together. They don't always agree, but they trust each other. Their lives depend on it. The same mindset can save our civic discourse. Whether mentoring a student or volunteering at a food bank, service reconnects us. It reminds us what we share.

Rebuilding trust won't be easy. But it's possible. It starts with each of us. Showing up. Telling the truth. Staying present. Protecting democracy isn't just the job of politicians. It's the work of all of us. If we bring the discipline, humility, and sense of mission we carry in our daily lives to our communities, we can build something stronger than any victory. A democracy worthy of our trust.

VETERAN PERSPECTIVE

Trust in Crisis: Lessons from War to Rebuild Our Communities

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