This week has not been easy.

For years, I’ve cringed every time I hear the reporting about Trump calling members of our military "suckers" and those who died in battle "losers."

But to see Trump use Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery for his own political gain — for his staff to verbally and physically abuse the official trying to protect the sanctity of that hallowed ground — is something I never anticipated.

My name is Karen Meredith, I am a Gold Star mother, and my son is buried in Section 60.

My only child, 1LT Ken Ballard, joined the Army after graduating high school in 1995. As an Army granddaughter, Army daughter, Army sister, and Army mom, I couldn't be more proud of his decision.

My son deployed to Iraq in May of 2003, and 384 days later he was killed while fighting an Iranian-backed militia in Najaf. He had been scheduled to return home eight days earlier, but his tour was extended.

Ken, like others in our family, were not "suckers" for making the decision to serve their country. He was not a "loser" either.

Ken, and those who put on the uniform, are the best this country has to offer. But to Trump, they’re nothing more than props for his campaign.

Sometimes it's hard to know how to respond in these moments. For me, I have been active in the Gold Star and Veteran's communities as an advocate for Military families. I feel as if my work resisting Trump is an extension of that work.

And I am thankful to have a mechanism to do that through VoteVets.

I know that in 2024 — just like 2020 — VoteVets will have a critical role to play in keeping Trump out of the White House. And anything I can do to help, I am in. So today, I am asking for your help in that cause:

Can you please make a contribution, $5 or whatever you can afford, directly to VoteVets? They will put every dollar they raise right to work helping to defeat Trump this November.

If you've stored your info with ActBlue, we'll process your contribution instantly:

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Republicans failed to stop Trump when they had the chance. Now, it’s up to us.

Thank you,

Karen Meredith
Gold Star Families Liaison
VoteVets.org

 

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