Americans from coast to coast to coast are honoring a new generation of heroes who’ve been called to action to fight an “invisible enemy” we’ve come to know as the coronavirus pandemic.

We’re holed up in our homes. Many of us — such as me — have been doing a lot of binge-watching of TV. Today has been devoted to watching a series I didn’t know existed until I found it on my Netflix channel.

It’s called “Medal of Honor.” It tells the stories of heroism that often defy human understanding. I’ve seen stories of brave warriors who fought — some to the death on the battlefield — from Italy, France and Germany, to Korea, to Vietnam and to Iraq and Afghanistan. All of these men received the Medal of Honor for their valor.

What is the thread that runs through all these tales of heroism? It is love. The men perform these acts out of love for their brothers in arms.

One story tells of such love between two Army soldiers who didn’t get along … until the bullets started flying in Afghanistan. One of the soldiers leapt into action to save his wounded comrade, the guy with whom he didn’t get along; he ran through a hail of bullets, tended to his comrade’s wounds, lifted him and carried him back to safety. The wounded soldier didn’t survive his wounds, but the young man who sought to save him cries to this day when recounting the loss of life and the regret he carries with him that he was unable to save his comrade. He acted out of love.

It’s love that is the overarching theme of these tales. It is woven into the narrative that is being told so long after they have been performed. Just as love is the common denominator among those who are honored for their valor on the field of battle, I also believe we are able to ascribe that motivation to today’s heroes who tend to those stricken by deadly illness.

You know, maybe we should tell these heroes more than just a simple “thanks.” Maybe we should express our love to them.