As the daughter of an 82nd Airborne Army Sgt. 1st Class Paratrooper, I thank all who have served and those who put their lives on the line for our freedom. Our democracy is more than a system of government; it is the very soul of America. Yet, as we honor our fallen heroes, we must also confront the shadows that threaten our democracy.

 

The events of January 6th, when the Capitol was stormed in an attempted coup d’état by a treasonous group, resulted in property damage to the Capitol building and, most sadly, the death of a Capitol police officer, NJ native Brian Sicknick. Some claim these individuals to be patriots, but I say they are an anti-American murderous violent mob, dressed in red, white, and blue, simply masquerading as patriots.

 

We must all be committed to protecting and fighting for our democracy at every level of government. Additionally, we should examine ourselves, society, and culture to demand better from our leaders on all sides of the aisle. Our country faces a challenge to our democracy, yet Congressional members spend time body-shaming one another in an official capacity. Meanwhile, a Supreme Court Justice flies the American flag upside down in support of the same mob that stormed the Capitol, while another Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, recently criticized a piece of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision that made racial segregation in schools illegal.

 

Let us all get serious. Whether Democrat or Republican, let's honor our fallen American soldiers and then protect the very democracy they died defending.