John,

Below is an op-ed I wrote for the Bucks County Courier about the threat to our Democracy and attack on the U.S. Capitol our nation experienced one year ago yesterday. I hope you will take a moment to read it as we remember what happened that day. Thank you.

Best regards,
Paul Fermo

Fermo: A year after Capitol riot, character counts more than ever
By Paul Fermo

January 6th, 2021, is a day none of us can ever forget. I watched with my wife, Debbie, a fellow U.S. Navy veteran, as Americans stormed our Capitol based on a lie, and I asked myself, what does this say about our country? What does it say about our leaders? Were they asleep at the wheel? Did they willingly let this happen or even worse, were they a part of it?

The day and its aftermath revealed where we are as a country, what has become acceptable – and most concerning of all, the lack of character in the leaders we have elected.

These leaders, elected to protect our democracy, were willing to manipulate the truth and to conjure a cycle of division and hate to justify violence and have not been held to account. The injustice of January 6, 2021, was eerily similar to what I saw and fought against in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the lies of these very same elected leaders continue as truth to some of our fellow Americans.

A year later, our country is more divided and our democracy is in more peril because of their actions or lack thereof.

In this vital moment for our nation, I cannot help but think about the saying inscribed over the chapel doors of the U.S. Naval Academy where Debbie and I were married. It reads: “Non sibi sed patriae,” “Not for self, but for country.”

Instead of doing what is right for our country, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick went AWOL – and ran for cover. By voting against creating a bipartisan committee to investigate who was behind this attack and whether it went all the way up to the Oval Office itself, he put his political future and his party before the values of our country.

The Congressman and I both took oaths to protect our country – he broke his and failed us.

It comes down to character. Character is revealed by one’s actions. Honorable character means making hard decisions for the right reasons. It is about taking accountability and standing up for what is right – even at the expense of one’s own survival. Integrity is good character in action.

In politics, it might cost you your job – in battle it might cost you your life – but that’s the duty of a leader.

I’ve spent my life making tough decisions on the battlefield as a Naval Aviator – when the decision to pull or not pull the trigger meant protecting lives and reducing harm. And just like so many families here in Bucks County, I make difficult decisions in the best interest of my family and for my business every day.

I have spent my life serving this country, its values, and our democracy. Right now, we are at a turning point. Not a moment to turn our back or drop our heads in despair, but to build a better future for all of us. That starts with fighting for the very fundamentals of our democracy, like protecting the right to vote and making sure every vote gets counted. One year after January 6th our divided nation has lost orientation to what is just. As a fighter pilot who has led in battle with character and integrity, I know we can get back on course.

That’s why in Congress, I will lead the fight to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to make sure every citizen, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, can cast their vote easily and securely, and every citizen can be assured that every one of those votes gets counted.

The threats to our Democracy did not end on January 6th, they have continued every day since through the actions of Republicans in state legislatures and D.C. who have worked to ensure that the next time they want to steal an election they won’t need a violent mob – only their will to act.

This time in our country demands servant-leaders with integrity who believe their country is more important than their reelection and their priorities are shared with those they represent back home.

If some elected leaders in Washington were willing to let lies lead to the attack on our Capitol once with no consequences, we cannot be surprised when they try again. The threat is clear, the time to act is now.