As Americans paused over Memorial Day weekend to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to the country, two Medal of Honor recipients delivered a reminder of what the day is actually supposed to represent: gratitude, perspective, and pride in the nation those sacrifices helped preserve.
RedState’s Ward Clark captured the meaning of the holiday perfectly when he wrote that the fallen were often heartbreakingly young, many leaving families behind, but every one of them understood the risks and still took the oath. “Our nation is richer that such people once walked among us,” he observed.
That spirit carried into a Memorial Day interview on CBS News’ Face the Nation, where retired Lt. Col. William Swenson and retired Command Sergeant Major Matthew Williams spoke about service, sacrifice, and the country they fought for during the war in Afghanistan.
Both men received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary acts of bravery during Operation Enduring Freedom. Swenson was awarded the nation’s highest military honor by President Barack Obama in 2013, while Williams received his from President Donald Trump in 2019. Their stories are not political talking points or campaign slogans. They are accounts of men risking their own lives to save fellow Americans under impossible combat conditions.
For most of the interview, CBS anchor Margaret Brennan kept the discussion focused on Memorial Day and military service. But near the end, the conversation drifted toward the now-familiar media narrative that America is somehow trapped in darkness and decline.
WATCH: CBS's Margaret Brennan tries to goad two Medal of Honor recipients into bashing America, gets rebuffed
MARGARET BRENNAN: And before I let you go, we are coming up on this 250th anniversary of the American experience. I know I can't ask you a question like, are you… pic.twitter.com/X24S8YWmmc
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) May 24, 2026
Brennan framed her final question around whether the two veterans could still feel optimistic about the country as America approaches its 250th anniversary. The setup practically invited criticism of the nation’s current state. Instead, both men responded with calm patriotism and clarity that cut straight through the negativity.
Swenson reminded viewers that America is far bigger than politics and cable news cycles. He pointed to ordinary life continuing across the country — children growing up, families building lives, people pursuing dreams — as proof of the nation’s enduring strength.
“This country is a great place,” Swenson said. “It’s not politics. It’s not just what’s the news bites coming off of media.”
He acknowledged America’s imperfections while emphasizing that the nation continues striving toward “a more perfect union,” noting that no country in history has achieved what the United States has.
Williams echoed that message while encouraging Americans to remember how much the country has overcome throughout its history. He spoke about freedom, opportunity, strong communities, and the ability Americans have to choose their own path in life.
“There’s so much to be positive about,” Williams explained.
He also pointed to the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th birthday as an opportunity for Americans to reconnect with the country’s history instead of constantly dwelling on division and political conflict. Williams encouraged people to visit historical sites, celebrate the nation’s achievements, and genuinely appreciate the freedoms secured through generations of sacrifice.
Most importantly, neither man took the bait to condemn the country they served. Neither embraced the fashionable pessimism so common in modern political and media culture. Instead, they spoke with the perspective of men who have seen real hardship, real sacrifice, and real courage firsthand.
That perspective matters, especially on Memorial Day.