May 28, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: On Memorial Day, a group of eight friends and I stood in the rain on an overpass of I-81. We waved several U.S. flags, the Navy flag and the Air Force flag.
Even though we damned near froze to death in the cold rain, our hearts were warmed, as 99% of the vehicles passing underneath us honked their horns and/ or flashed their lights like crazy! Each driver could have been a Democrat, Republican or Independent; it didn’t matter, as we were all caught up in the celebration and pride of who we are as a nation!
All of us on the overpass above and the highway below were all on the same page and that page read, “at this moment we are all Americans; showing our pride and unity as a nation!”
Regardless of the possible impending challenges we are facing from within our government and from without, from potential threats around the world, we are a nation of one. We need, right now, to remember this more than ever going forward. Unite as one; work together as a nation! In unity there is strength! PHILIP CLAYTON Retired USAF Lieutenant colonel, Rockbridge County
