It has been 23 years since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, when the world witnessed the unimaginable as the Twin Towers fell in New York City.

Today, I describe it as the day the Earth truly stood still. That day, nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost, forever altering the course of history. But amidst the horror and devastation, a powerful sense of unity emerged. Tens of thousands of civilians, first responders, and military personnel answered the call to help, risking everything to rescue survivors and bring hope to a broken city. Let us also not forget our canine companions, nearly 400 search and rescue dogs who tirelessly searched the wreckage for signs of life. Their loyalty and dedication symbolized the spirit of that day: selflessness in the face of tragedy.

In those crucial hours and days, more than 200 fire units and over 10 law enforcement agencies were activated in New York City. They came not just to serve, but to sacrifice. Over 300 firefighters never made it home to their families, and nearly 100 law enforcement officers gave their lives in the line of duty. These men and women embodied the highest ideals of service and heroism.

But the call to duty did not end with the immediate aftermath. In the year following the attacks, nearly 200,000 brave Americans raised their hands, signed on the dotted line, and enlisted in the United States military. They knew the stakes, understood the risks, and chose to serve. Since then, nearly two million U.S. military personnel have been deployed to conflict zones as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. These are not just numbers ; they represent countless lives forever changed by war, sacrifice, and the enduring burden of service.

And so, we must never forget.

We must never forget the courage of those who ran toward danger when others fled. We must never forget the families who have been shattered, nor the survivors who carry the scars of that day. And we must never, ever, forget the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for our country ,  whether on that tragic day in 2001 or in the many years of conflict that followed.

Yet today, there is someone who seems to have forgotten.

A man who, despite being from New York, shows no regard for the values we hold sacred. He called my fallen brothers “losers” and “suckers.” He has openly mocked those who answered the call of duty, disparaging prisoners of war and ridiculing their strength and resilience. This man, who once dismissed our nation’s highest award for valor, now tries to use the graves of fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery as mere backdrops for his campaign.

This is beyond contempt. This is beyond disgrace. It is an affront to every man and woman who has worn the uniform of this great nation.

For too long, I remained silent. I ignored the conversation. Like many, I sought refuge from the bitter divide of our political discourse that has begun to strangle our everyday lives. But silence in the face of such dishonor is a betrayal of the values I have sworn to uphold. I cannot stay silent any longer.

My family has served this country for generations. My great-grandfather arrived on these shores before World War I, seeking a new beginning. On my mother’s side, my great-grandfather served in the civilian corps of the United States Army and was a direct contributor to the Manhattan Project. My grandfather was a Green Beret in Vietnam, fighting in one of the most tumultuous times in our history. And I enlisted in the United States Navy, following in the footsteps of those who came before me.

Every year on September 11th, I pay my respects. I honor the fallen by visiting the site where so many lost their lives. I stand silently with tears in my eyes as I hear the national anthem played before a ballgame, reminded of the sacrifices that built and protected this nation. Truth be told, I even teared up a bit writing this.

Some of my greatest inspirations are the men whose courage and honor changed the course of history:

• Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rosenthal of the Bloody 100th Bomb Group,
• Lieutenant Colonel Felix Sparks of the 157th Infantry Regiment,
• Corporal Desmond Doss of the 307th Infantry Regiment,
• Second Lieutenant Richard Rescorla of the 7th Cavalry.

These men ,  along with countless others , are the true embodiment of what it means to love and serve this country.

And it is because of their legacy, and the legacy of every fallen brother and sister in arms, that I can no longer stay quiet. I will make this one and only political statement before the election.

I stand for freedom. I stand for democracy. I stand for my brothers and sisters in arms. I stand for the future of this country. I stand for those who hold themselves with dignity, honor, and respect.

I stand against those who trample on the values that make America great. I stand against those who spit on the sacrifices of our fallen heroes. I stand against those who disrespect the progress our nation has made, and those who threaten to tear apart the ideals of democracy, equality, and justice.

I stand against Donald Trump and everything he represents.

This election is not about partisanship. It’s about who we are as a nation and where we’re headed. John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” This November, the greatest thing you can do for your country is vote.

Do not let hatred, ignorance, and division prevail. Stand up for the America that honors its heroes, respects its fallen, and fights for a brighter future for all.