The recent shooting of two National Guard service members in Washington, D.C. is a stark reminder of an uncomfortable truth: the men and women who stand guard over our nation’s capital are not abstract symbols of authority—they are human beings who put themselves in harm’s way so the rest of us can live our lives in peace.

For years, the National Guard has been asked to step in and strengthen security in Washington during times of unrest, uncertainty, or heightened threat. Their presence is not about politics or partisanship. It is about stability, protection, and ensuring that everyday people can safely go to work, take their kids to school, and move freely through their own city.

We Owe Them Gratitude—Not Criticism

Too often, discussions about the Guard’s presence in Washington get twisted into debates about optics, symbolism, or political narratives. But the truth is simpler than that:
These Guardsmen were in Washington because they were needed.
They were serving their country, fulfilling orders, and doing what countless service members before them have done—protecting others.

Instead of degrading them, dismissing them, or questioning why they were there, we should be thanking them. Every mission they take on comes with risk, and last week’s violence shows just how real that risk is.

The Real Issue Isn’t the Guard — It’s Why They’re Needed

It is easy to point fingers at institutions. It is harder to confront the underlying problem:
The behavior of people that makes it necessary to have troops standing guard in an American city.

The fact that service members must patrol parts of the nation’s capital at all should concern all of us. That is not normal. It is not desirable. It is not something we should simply accept as an unavoidable fact of modern life.

The root cause is not the Guard’s presence—it is the environment that requires their presence. It is the escalation of violence, the disregard for human life, and the willingness of some individuals to threaten the safety of others. Until those issues change, the Guard will continue to be called upon to stand between danger and the public.

A Moment to Reflect

This incident should serve as a moment for national reflection:

• Do we want a country where service members must be deployed on our own streets?
• Do we want a capital city where law enforcement and the National Guard face constant threats?
• Do we want to normalize violence that forces our protectors into the line of fire?

If the answer is no, then the responsibility for change rests not on the shoulders of the Guard, but on all of us as citizens.

Gratitude and Respect

Today, we should stand united in thanking the two injured Guardsmen and all who serve alongside them. They deserve recognition, support, and respect—not criticism or dismissal.

When our communities fail, they step in.
When chaos rises, they restore order.
When danger looms, they stand in its path.

The least we can do is acknowledge their sacrifice and work toward a future where their presence in Washington is no longer necessary.