When I visit Arlington National Cemetery, I visit my only brother, Jerry. My friends Tony and Jeremy rest nearby. Tony was killed in Iraq in 2005, leading an Army Special Forces Operational Detachment, leaving behind his wife and four children. Jeremy was killed that same year on his third tour in Afghanistan, leaving behind a widow and his parents. My brother died while serving his country in 2008, leaving four boys without their father. When politicians talk about military options, authorizations, and war powers, these are the people I think about.

Twenty-five years ago, America was attacked. Nearly 3,000 people were murdered on Sept. 11. In the days that followed, Americans came together in a way that is difficult to imagine today. We displayed flags, donated money, and thanked service members in airports. We told ourselves we were all in this together.