Growing up, I hardly ever imagined myself in the military. No one in my immediate family had served. Numerous veterans call Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania — the town in which I grew up — home, but no one from the area had been to a military academy in decades. 

With hard work (and a little luck), I turned out to be a good football player and an even better wrestler in high school. While my parents would have supported me attending any traditional university, it was my dad who encouraged me to at least apply to the United States Military Academy. I did, and before I knew it, I was being recruited to wrestle at West Point. 

I’ll never forget my first day at West Point. It was a balmy day in July 1983. By the end of our first day, after hours of vaccinations, uniform fittings, a buzz cut, and parade practice, the West Point “Class of 1987” marched across the parade field with the reviewing stands chock full of teary-eyed parents looking down upon their transformed cadets. 

It wasn’t easy, but I quickly grew to love West Point. The idea of committing your mind, body, and spirit to something bigger than yourself was rewarding. The idea of fighting to ensure that our exceptional nation remained a beacon of hope for generations to come was inspiring. These ideals gave me the strength to push through even the hardest days at West Point, the toughest training at Ranger School, and eventually combat in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. 

Service to country has long been the steel bar that has carried our nation through countless crises and global conflicts. It’s the rallying force that has brought Americans from every creed, race, socioeconomic status, and geographic location together under the shared banner of patriotism. When I was a young lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division, our platoon had a Southern Baptist from Alabama, a black man from Newark, and a Puerto Rican platoon sergeant. I don’t remember us ever discussing our differences — just that we were united in our passion to keep one another and the country safe and achieve whatever mission was before us. 

Today, fewer and fewer Americans are taking that leap of faith to join the military and commit themselves to something greater than themselves. 

Last year, the Army, Air Force, and Navy all missed their recruitment goals — and while the Army appears to be on pace to hit its latest target, it’s likely due to the fact the branch dramatically lowered expectations. 

There’s no question the recruitment crisis is a symptom of a much bigger problem: a waning belief in American exceptionalism. According to Gallup, roughly 60 percent of Americans are confident in our military — the lowest level in decades. Worse — a February Pew poll found that the majority of Americans aged 18-29 believe the military has a negative impact. They are the only generation of Americans where the majority age range doesn’t hold a positive view. It’s not just the military — only 45 percent of young Americans polled are even extremely or very proud to be an American. Taken together, the conclusion is clear: we are facing a stark spiritual decline and cultural rot that is only growing worse. 

This Independence Day, it’s critical that we reflect on the reality that the public is questioning the value of service and what makes America the greatest country in the world. 

It’s that very question that pushed me to public service and is at the heart of my candidacy for the U.S. Senate. I’m running to represent Pennsylvania because our commonwealth and our nation are worth fighting for.

I’m running because the Biden administration’s disastrous botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 was a turning point. It was a shocking and deeply troubling symbol of America’s decline and the need for new leaders in Washington who will have our service members’ backs. While our commander in chief may have forgotten, I will always remember the 13 brave U.S. military personnel we lost on that fateful day in August. 

I’m running because we cannot allow the nation to continue to fail our veterans. Twenty-two veterans a day in America take their own lives. On the campaign trail, I wear a rubber bracelet that represents Mission 22 — a nonprofit dedicated to stopping this tragic trend and supporting veterans and their families. I wear that bracelet to remind me of heroes like Michael Wargo and the solemn promise I made to his parents, Mike and Sally. Their son Michael enlisted on 9/11, and saw fierce combat in Afghanistan. When he returned home, he quietly suffered and, after years of struggle, took his own life in 2013. Since then, the Wargos have made it their mission to reduce the terrible tragedy of veteran suicide. I swore to Mike and Sally I would never forget their son’s sacrifice and to always fight for great Pennsylvania patriots like Michael in the U.S. Senate. 

We owe our veterans a debt that must be paid, but it’s even more than that. If the next generation thinks those who sacrificed so much for the good of the country will actually be respected and cared for, they may be more inclined to feel proud of the promise of America and to serve their country. 

Lastly, I’m running because we need more veteran leaders in the public sector. Former service members understand the gravity of war, the sacrifices wounded veterans have made, and what it means to lead others toward a larger goal. Studies also show veterans are more likely to be bipartisan and get things done — skills and leadership attributes that are sorely in demand these days. 

Each of us has a role to play in restoring a spirit of service in America. While families across Pennsylvania and America spend the coming days celebrating our nation’s founding, barbequing, and watching fireworks, I call upon all of us to do our part in renewing America and inspiring the next generation. 

Dave McCormick is a West Point graduate and combat veteran who has been the CEO of two successful businesses. He is running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania.