Gen. Stanley McChrystal on what would close the divide in America

Political divisions are tearing our nation apart. Perhaps not since the last decade before our Civil War have differing perspectives so threatened the very fabric of American society. Many of us have seen similar forces in places like Iraq and Afghanistan produce unspeakable pain and tragedy and know that something must be done. But what?

My military career taught me that young Americans, recruited from every corner of our nation, representing different races, religions, incomes, and accents can be brought together under a single flag, for a common purpose, and do great things. During the Depression they built roads, parks and other things that have contributed to every generation that followed. When World Wars I and II erupted, they united to protect not only America, but the world. They came together as diverse as our society, and built bridges, not just over rivers, but also to fellow citizens.

Their greatest contribution was not any physical structure; it was in shaping themselves into what Tom Brokaw so aptly described as the "Greatest Generation." I might simply call them good citizens.