When I think about what it means to be fierce, I think of my parents.
I grew up in a military family. My father was a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran. My mother served in the Navy until she got pregnant with my older sister. They taught me the meaning of service and sacrifice, and I’ve spent my entire life honoring those lessons.
My dad earned two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his service in Vietnam.
While my dad was deployed for a two-year tour in Vietnam, my mom raised the four of us kids on her own as a military wife. I remember my mom would sit us down at the kitchen table nearly every night to write him letters. Even as young children, we knew very well there was a chance he wouldn’t ever return home.
My siblings and I bounced around from base to base as proud children of a Marine Corps officer.
The day my dad finally came home, my heart was whole again. 💛 During the years he was a drill instructor, he would take us kids to his parades on the weekends to watch the marching bands. To this day, I still love to go hear the music the Marine Corps bands play.
Growing up in a military family taught me the importance of service and loving our country. But right now, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are hurting our veterans and the people who serve them.
It’s beyond shameful that they’re hollowing out the Department of Veterans Affairs and threatening essential health care, support services, and job security for our dedicated veterans and military families – families just like mine, who sacrificed everything in service of our nation.
Our brave service members have more courage, heart, and leadership than Donald Trump or his unelected billionaire buddy Elon Musk could ever hope to have.
As governor, I will always take a stand for those who’ve served our country with honor. And I will reject any attempts to rip away the benefits that veterans and their families so rightfully deserve. If you’re with me, I hope you’ll chip in $5 today.
Be fierce,
Deb
