To the editor:

We’ve turned every disagreement into a shouting match. And nobody’s winning.

Earlier this week, I walked through the quiet hills of Arlington National Cemetery. Row after row of white headstones, perfectly lined and perfectly silent. In that silence, I heard a truth louder than any headline: our country was built on sacrifice, not spite.

Those graves aren’t divided by party or ideology. They stand together, reminding us that freedom has a cost. A cost that was paid for all of us, regardless of our differences.

Disagreement has always been part of America. Debate sharpens ideas and keeps us honest. But when grief and outrage lead us to shout past each other — or when public fights get more coverage than public service — we lose sight of what really matters.

Emotions are running high in our community. People are hurting, frustrated and looking for ways to respond. I understand that. And I believe those feelings are real and justified. But when those emotions spill over into public feuds, we risk losing focus on what matters most: finding a way forward that makes our community stronger, not more divided.

Speaking out is good. Standing for what we believe in is essential. But how we speak matters. Words can build bridges or burn them. And when the loudest voices drown out thoughtful dialogue, it’s not politicians who pay the price, it’s our neighbors.

Most of us actually want the same things: Safe streets, good jobs, opportunities for our kids and a fair chance at a better life. These aren’t partisan goals, they’re what it means to be an American.

The loss of a national voice who inspired so many reminds us how deeply words can shape a movement, for better or worse. It’s a call to speak with courage, but also with care.

So let’s lower the volume and raise the standard. Let’s have the hard conversations, but do them with respect. We can disagree without being disagreeable.

Arlington reminded me that freedom isn’t free. The least we can do to honor that sacrifice is to act like the country we were meant to be: strong enough to work through our differences and united enough to deliver results. That starts with us. In our conversations, our leadership and the example we set for the next generation.

Tony Viola

Weirton