This Memorial Day, as we remember the heroic men and women who gave their lives defending our freedom, the best way we can honor their bravery is to protect and care for Gold Star families and every other American they left behind.

Just like our deceased warriors, we must protect democracy by ensuring every eligible citizen has equal, easy access to the voting booth. We must protect working families who created the middle class by ensuring that wages and benefits are fair and that workplaces are safe and free from illness and injury. We must protect the right of workers to have a say in their employment conditions by passing the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

This Memorial Day, as we finally enjoy the start of a summer with fewer COVID-related restrictions, we must pause and thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and then get to work preserving and improving our American way of life for those fortunate enough to come home.