We still have so much to learn from our Greatest Generation.

On Tuesday, a group of Veterans scheduled to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., refused to take “no” for an answer.

So when they arrived in the nation’s capital on the same day the government shutdown took effect, they didn’t let a few hastily placed barricades stop them from viewing the free, open-air, and open to the public memorial.

They moved those barricades, marched right in, and did what they came to do – politics be damned.

That an act of civil disobedience came at the hands of more than a hundred veterans who so nobly fought in defense of our country’s freedom points to just how ironic, and ridiculous, this government showdown has become.

Politics and egos have forced our government into a shutdown while Congress and the President continue to do verbal battle, but these veterans, who have seen real battles and know what sacrifice and loss truly mean, didn’t have time or patience for these petty battles.

Like good leaders, they assessed the situation, made a decision, and took action to the resolve the issue. How refreshing.

Maybe we need more of that “get it done” attitude in Washington and less of the “what can we get in return” mindset of so many politicians.