For decades, Sens. Bob Dole (R-KS) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI) served on different sides of the aisle. But before they had gone into politics, each served his country on the battlefields of Europe. Both men were grievously wounded during World War II while fighting fascism in Italy. Their story holds an important lesson: Although politics may temporarily divide us, our bond as Americans can never be dissolved.

Inouye was one of 3,516 Americans to be awarded the Medal of Honor. His story is larger-than-life, yet typical for those who have received this medal. After being shot through the torso, “he crawled to within five yards of the enemy emplacement and threw two more grenades, killing the enemy machine gunners. He then killed the crew of a second machine gun with his submachine gun.”

Superhuman feats are par for the course for Medal of Honor recipients. Perhaps that’s why there are so few of them as we celebrate the 160th anniversary this month of the creation of the Medal of Honor.

President Abraham Lincoln bestowed the first medal during the Civil War upon six enlisted men who had been captured after a dangerous mission behind Confederate lines. Eight of their colleagues had been hanged for their role in the mission.

Lincoln understood the importance of being devoted to a cause. Like many who have received the Medal of Honor, he ultimately gave his life in service to the United States. But these days, his lessons of devotion and forgiveness can be difficult to live by. So for service members and civilians alike, the stories of Medal of Honor recipients should remind us to return to the fundamental American values exemplified by the medal — values that saved the union in the 1860s and can help build a stronger union in our own times.

The healing can begin next week. Representatives of both parties will set aside their partisan political differences and come together to celebrate and commemorate the medal’s founding, and the values it represents, at an event hosted by the National Medal of Honor Museum on Monday at the Library of Congress. Some 16 of the 65 living Medal of Honor recipients and two dozen members of Congress are scheduled to be there, including Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Those who have received the Medal of Honor are beacons of patriotism and courage, many sacrificing their lives on behalf of their fellow soldiers and their country. Just a small sampling of the stories can inspire us every day.

For example, after the Germans attacked his position in World War I, Cpl. Freddie Stowers took charge of a counterattack. Although he “was mortally wounded, he pressed forward, urging on the members of his squad, until he died. Inspired by the heroism and display of bravery of Corporal Stowers, his company continued the attack against incredible odds, contributing to the capture of Hill 188 and causing heavy enemy casualties.”

During the Korean War, Edward Clyde Benfold left his protected position while under enemy fire to treat the wounded. When an enemy soldier threw two grenades into a crater where two Marines were sheltering, Benfield “grabbed a grenade in each hand, leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the on-rushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both the attackers,” thus giving up his life to save other Americans.

More recently, during the Iraq War, Cpl. Jason L. Dunham threw himself on a grenade : “In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines.”

Earlier this month, Army Capt. Paris D. Davis was presented the Medal of Honor for his “gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during the Vietnam War.”

Since the founding of our nation, more than 1 million of our fellow Americans have fought and died, most without earning any awards. Many are in unmarked graves in foreign lands. The best way to honor them and acknowledge their service to our nation is to put aside our political differences and remember that while we disagree about policy, there are certain fundamental truths: We are all Americans.

Dole and Inouye serve as a model for all of us. As politicians, they were able to work together in the Senate and show our elected officials that it is possible to find common ground. Their heroic service to the nation will forever unite them, as the heroic service of all Medal of Honor recipients has forever united all Americans. And as the years show, what the Constitution has joined, we will not allow anyone to tear asunder.

Peter Mihalick is the former legislative director and counsel to former Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Rodney Blum (R-IA).