As a 24-year career veteran, on Memorial Day, I have always honored the Americans who sacrificed their lives in defense of their country. For years, I took pride in the way our nation memorialized those brave heroes. In the last few years, however, my Memorial Day has been clouded by thinking how disappointed these fallen warriors would have been in the antics in Washington that disrespect so much of what they died for. This year, particularly, I am deeply grieved over Washington’s foolishness.

Never in my life have I seen such foolhardiness as is being displayed by Democrats in both houses of Congress. Their objectives for undermining American values over recent decades were abruptly halted by the election of President Trump. Since that election, Democrats have been unhinged, in panic, and delirious from the shock of losing their leftest momentum. I doubt that any conservative expected such a rabid reaction.

Trump’s presidency had every potential of major progress in economic growth, immigration reform, tax reform, infrastructure enhancement, viable healthcare, Social Security resolution, racial reconciliation, balanced international trade, and international peace initiatives. Aside from a few notable victories, these anticipated advances have been stifled by the Democrats through endless accusations and investigations, spying on the administration, intransigence on almost all White House initiatives, and raging opposition to most presidential appointees. Now they are readying for impeachment proceedings with no impeachable offense.

By and large, the Democratic representatives and senators have spent two-and-a-half years spewing hatred, conniving, manipulating the media, obstructing, spying, and aggressively pursuing a four-year campaign cycle for 2020. They are acting as if their whole world were inside the DC beltway with no regard for the American general public. They apparently believe their very survival depends on removing President Trump from office. If it weren’t so damaging to our country, it would be hilarious just watching their comedy act. Everything they try blows up in their face, but instead of cooperating in bilateral efforts, they try some other farcical scheme. In my observation, there has never before been such idiocy on the hill.

So, this Memorial Day, I will do my best to concentrate on the purpose of the solemn day of remembrance. I will try to compartmentalize my thoughts and prayers surrounding those who paid the ultimate price for their country’s freedoms. They died for our freedoms and way of life, not for the insanity in Washington. I will do my best to ignore for one day those in Washington who are making a mockery of our government that those courageous men and women fought under.

Pray for a second term for President Trump and a Republican majority in both houses in 2020. We must stop this madness.