Happy Memorial Day, {NAME}.

{NAME}, As a veteran, Memorial Day has a special meaning to me. It's the day that we, as a nation, remember everyone who has died in military service. They died fighting for our country, but also for the ideals our country represents. Americans fought for democracy at home in the Revolutionary War, fought against slavery in the Civil War, and more recently fought for democracy in Europe during two World Wars and then Korea soon after. Not every intervention has been successful: fear of Communism led us to Vietnam and a desire for revenge led us to Afghanistan and Iraq - none of those wars succeeded in accomplishing long-term objectives, but not because of failures of the soldiers fighting them. On this Memorial Day, I'm asking you to think of more than flags and tombstones. I want you to think about the ideals that our flag, sewn onto the right sleeve of every soldier, represents: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and equality. Generations fought for those ideals on the battlefield, but all Americans must fight for those ideals at home as well. I know that things seem dark right now: we have a Republican Party ready to throw out elections, we have a war in Europe (and the threat of war in Taiwan), gun violence is out of control, and climate change threatens to upend our way of life. We're not going to solve these problems by throwing our hands up in despair. So this Memorial Day, I'm asking you to vote. It's a right that generations of Americans have died to protect. Trust me, we didn't enlist so that people would reflexively say "thank you for your service" in every future social interaction. We enlisted because we care about American democracy - and you should care too. As a soldier and an American, I'm proud to have served in our military overseas fighting for our country. As your Congressman, I would continue fighting for what our country represents in Washington. I would be honored to earn your support. Max Max Steiner is a combat veteran, foreign service officer, and Democrat running to flip California's 1st District from red to blue. Consider supporting Max's campaign by [making a grassroots contribution here.]( If you'd like to receive less email, add your name [here.]( We'd hate to see you go, but you can click here if you'd like to [unsubscribe](. Max Steiner is a combat veteran of the Iraq War and Sergeant First Class in the Army Reserves. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense. Max Steiner for Congress 2485 Notre Dame Blvd, Ste 370 #194 Chico, CA 95928 United States