By Gene Jones, Florida Veterans for Common Sense President

Memorial Day Reflection

On this Memorial Day let’s all take the time to reflect on the lives of our compatriots who died for us and our country. They made the ultimate sacrifice because they believed they were protecting our democracy and were fighting for a just cause. They all had the greater good of our country in heart and mind and were willing to serve and die for America and our way of life.

We often hear it said that we owe them a debt that cannot be repaid. For sure, the debt cannot be repaid, but we can make payment toward the debt by making sure that they did not die in vain. We can honor our fallen by remembering that democratic governance requires ongoing attention and effort in order to preserve and protect it.

Threat to Our Democracy

For over one hundred years and fifty years, our comrades in arms did not have to fight on American soil. Sadly, the greatest existential threat to our democracy today is not from a foreign country.  Now, domestic terrorists and insurrectionists here on the home front are the greatest threat to our democracy. The insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol on January 6 did so to prevent the certification of the presidential election and to destroy democracy as we know it.

For many of the insurrectionists and their fellow travelers, January 6 marks a beginning not an end. Many still refuse to accept the presidential election result and some such as Michael Flynn now call, not so subtly, for a violent coup. Others of them work to limit democracy by making it more difficult to vote.

Rededicate Our Efforts

On this Memorial Day, as we reflect on the sacrifices made by our comrades in arms, we should rededicate our efforts to make sure they did not die in vain. We must call a halt to the conspirators, and politicians who support them, from further attacks our on democracy.
 
At this time in our history, the threat to our democracy calls for more than reflection. We must prepare to act by calling out as unpatriotic those who continue to support the ‘Big Lie’ that the presidential election was stolen. We must identify and turn from office every politician who refuses to repudiate the ‘Big Lie.’ We must not forget who they are when the next election comes.

Our fallen comrades in arms can only rest in peace if we continue the hard work here at home to protect and defend our beloved democracy for which they willingly laid down their lives.