http://twitter.com/#!/mariasheffield/status/207113114133610497

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and people across the country and around the world will honor our fallen heroes with a minute of silence at 12:01 EDT today.

6,442 Americans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. This Memorial Day, we stand together to remember and honor their lives, legacies and last full measure of devotion for our country. At 12:01pm, IAVA will lay a wreath before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Gather your friends and family across the country and pause with us for a national moment of silence in their memory.

Amphitheater filling up quickly before we #GoSilent 12:01pm @ Arlington National Cemetery http://t.co/BgVVSVf0 (h/t @jonathanchad)

— IAVA (@iava) May 28, 2012

21 gun salute at Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington before we #GoSilent.

— Jonathan Schleifer (@Jonathanchad) May 28, 2012

While there have been some questions about the funding and progressive political leanings of IAVA, today Americans are putting aside politics and using the #GoSilent hashtag to tweet gratitude and remembrances.

At 12:01est, I'll #GoSilent for my friend, Ed Iwan. I keep this photo on my fridge. Who will you #GoSilent for? #IAVA pic.twitter.com/s7NKLMwT

— Paul (PJ) Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) May 28, 2012

I'll be 'going silent' at 11:01 CT today, in remembrance of those who gave their lives for America. http://t.co/MP6JQ1v3 #Gosilent

— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) May 28, 2012

Remembering all those who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom. #GoSilent #MemorialDay

— pat locke (@plocke) May 28, 2012

i am #GoSilent in honor of my dad and grandfather who fought for this country @iava

— Michael P. Carey (@mpc144) May 28, 2012

Honoring Sgt Sixto Martinez, Cpl Tyler Trovillion & all our fallen heroes today. #GoSilent w/ @iava today at 12:01 pm

— Alexis Brock (@alexisgabriele) May 28, 2012

Honoring Sgt Sixto Martinez, Cpl Tyler Trovillion & all our fallen heroes today. #GoSilent w/ @iava today at 12:01 pm

— Alexis Brock (@alexisgabriele) May 28, 2012

@iava I am going silent for all our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives! Praying for their families too

— Apollo of Knoxville (@apolloknoxville) May 28, 2012

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/05/28/gosilent-for-one-minute-at-1201-edt-to-honor-our-fallen-heroes/