We write to you today as Americans deeply concerned about the success of our society. Lack of trust and understanding of one another has become one of the greatest challenges confronting our nation, and is where the extreme polarization facing America today is deeply rooted. We must begin to rebuild that trust and understanding, a sense of responsibility for our neighbors, and a future that includes all Americans — and it is going to take more than rhetoric about unity to be successful. As part of that effort, we believe that we must invest in a significant expansion of national service to help bridge these deep divides and bind all Americans together in common purpose.