Friends –

In those days, before I had kids, I was fast asleep when the phone rang at 6:30. It was my dad calling. Planes had flown into the World Trade Center. America was being attacked. I experienced the day—the fall of one tower and then the other, the attack on the Pentagon, the confusion, the rumors, the terror—the way most people did: watching television in stunned silence. The world changed before our eyes, and we knew we would always remember where we were when we heard the news.

As the shock and horror settled in, I felt a profound call to serve and protect the ideals and values that make our nation exceptional. In the apartment building I grew up in, neighbors from around the world had come together, embodying the strength of America's pluralism and unity.

My parents, both children of concentration camp survivors who themselves grew up in a dictatorship, had sought refuge in America, where they found democracy, freedom, opportunity, and the chance to build a better future. I knew what America meant to me, and I was ready to defend it.

So, following the 9/11 attacks, I made the decision to enlist to serve in the military to protect the freedoms and values that America represents. As a U.S. Navy reserve Intelligence Officer, I witnessed firsthand the dedication and determination of my fellow service members.

I served alongside incredible men and women who put their lives on the line. They asked for nothing in return but deserve a country that does right by them. Last year, Congress finally passed the PACT Act, which provides health benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service.

The PACT Act was passed with bipartisan support – even Ted Cruz and Matt Gaetz voted for it. But David Schweikert voted no. Seeing him vote no was one of the moments that made me decide to run for Congress.

I believe our representatives should honor our veterans' sacrifices by ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve. David Schweikert can keep all his flowery tweets about 9/11 and solemn statements about veterans’ service. It's time for leaders who stand up for our veterans, not show off for them, and then vote against their interests.

Just as my decision to enlist was a call to service, my campaign for Congress is a call to action. Together, we can build a better future for our veterans and for our nation. If you’re with me, will you add your name to my PACT Act petition to support health benefits for our veterans?

In your service,

– Andrei