The civilian-military and larger civilian-service divide will not be resolved in a conference room or from a podium in Washington D.C.. It will be bridged at the local level with actions that are focused on creating opportunities that build understanding and empathy on both sides of the divide. I have seen it firsthand in more than 30 communities that we brought together over the past two years. In each city, local volunteers left with a better understanding of service, and the First Responders carried on with renewed strength and felt closer to the citizens they protect. In many cases, civilians were inspired to interact more with those who serve; and the military installations, police departments, and fire stations took real steps to forge stronger bonds, inviting the volunteers back for family days, back to school projects and other community building events.

Since perhaps World War II, our country hasn’t faced a moment in its history when proactive citizen engagement was more essential.

Operation Gratitude has long sought to heal divides by connecting the protectors with the protected in a ‘safe space’ where they could not only freely engage with mutual respect, but also find common purpose.

Now that the stakes have risen much higher, so too must our involvement as citizens who support both our police and members of the community. This is why I joined the BRIDGE Council.

I truly believe that a lack of positive interactions, understanding, and empathy are contributing factors to the divides that exist between our communities and police officers. We must do better for our communities and for our children. People on both sides are getting killed and this constant divide is getting wider and wider. We must build bridges and it starts with empathy and consideration for what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes.