#GoSilent for one minute at 12:01 p.m. EDT to honor our fallen heroes

Jenn Taylor | 11:37 AM on May 28, 2012

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 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