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John, As a combat veteran, Memorial Day carries a special meaning for me for many reasons. Today is a time to honor my brothers and sisters-in-arms who gave their lives to defend our great country. Every single service member takes an oath to defend the Constitution and protect our nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. It is an oath we all risk our lives for and one that some of us die for. So imagine my horror after returning home from service as I watched a mob of violent insurrectionists attack Capitol Police officers on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn the results of a fair and free election. When our leaders undermine our democracy, they undermine everything I fought for, millions of Americans died for, and ultimately what our country stands for. We must protect our democracy from those who seek to undermine it and remember the fallen soldiers who gave their lives for our rights and freedoms. We must support our troops with action, not just words. That means upholding our promise to repay their sacrifice and service through access to education, healthcare, job training, and housing. I thought my fight for this country would end on the battlefield. But I refuse to watch everything we as soldiers fight to defend be undermined by selfish politicians and sore losers. It's a dishonor to the men and women we remember today. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts, Ashley
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