It’s Monday. Today is Memorial Day. Most of us will gather with friends and relatives, grill dogs, burgers, or steaks, and have a fine day celebrating the holiday. How many of us will miss the point of the day? We are supposed to be honoring the memory of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have perished in the service of our nation, fighting to protect our democratic ideals of freedom. Freedom to choose the lifestyle we want, the religion we want, or do not want, the medical care we want, and the education we want.
We include in those ranks all those who have served and may not have perished in war but have passed. We should also include all those public safety officers who have perished protecting our communities. I understand that we do not live in a perfect world and that not all are the perfect hero we want to put on a pedestal, but we must know they have all chosen to do this work. We have a voluntary force and that alone is commendable.
Is there one among us who does not have a friend or relative who has served, or died in service to our country? What I cannot understand then, is why anyone can support this charlatan, draft dodging man who is the antithesis of public service, Donald Trump! He is the one who called service members “suckers and losers” because they died in service. He is the one who refused to honor American war dead at a cemetery in France because the rain may spoil his hair. He has insulted military personnel and questioned their background because their families have immigrated, or their skin color is the wrong shade.
Inflation and gas prices mean nothing if we do not have our freedom! We must turn out in numbers to defeat the authoritarian and yes, fascist movement. Intolerance does not wear well on Americans. If we try it on, it will flash back on us in harmful ways we will not like.
High School Grads – Register to Vote! Congratulations to all the recent grads out there, who may be your sons or daughters, grandsons or granddaughters, nieces, nephews, etc. Please encourage them to register to vote by going to vote.pa.gov. If they turn 18, on or before 11/5/24, they are eligible to register, receive their Voter Registration Card, and to VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION this fall, either by-mail or in-person at the polls on Nov 5th.
Participate, Donate, Vote.
John Huot, JeffDems Chair
Donations Needed and Accepted
The Jefferson County Democratic Committee (JeffDems) is funded through donations (we do not get funding from the state). We rely on the generosity of local Democrats to enable all our initiatives, including an Office/HQ to function as “JeffDems Central” before the critical Fall Election. Please start a monthly recurring donation to JeffDems, large or small, using the ActBlue link below, or of course, one-time donation checks are welcome! Contribute so that your County Committee can do more on your behalf. Thank you!
“Jefferson County Democratic Committee”
c/o Steve Larchuk, Treasurer
PO Box 266
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
or use ActBlue I just gave to Jefferson County Democratic Committee. (PA)!
CALENDAR
June 14, Friday, 9am – 3pm, Brookville Laurel Fest, Craft & Vendor Sidewalk Sale, Main St.
JeffDems will be “tabling” and you will be able to meet our guest, from 11am – 2pm: William “Bill” McGill, candidate for PA Senate, District 25.
* June 29 – July 6: Festival in the Park – Barclay Square, Punxsutawney
– We will, once again, be an exhibitor and will need volunteers to “man” the JeffDems booth.
* July 14 – July 20: Jefferson County Fair – County Fairgrounds, Brookville
– We will, once again, be an exhibitor and will need volunteers to “man” the JeffDems booth.
* August 23 – 24: Demstock 2024 @ The Butler County Farm Show Grounds
www.jeffdemspa.org
