Editor,

Recently I visited Sunnyside Cemetery here in Coupeville to spend some time with my family who are buried there. I also spent some time visiting the graves of some of my ancestors who arrived on Whidbey in the late 19th Century.

Like so many citizens of this country, I have ancestors on both sides of my family who arrived from England and France and fought in the Revolutionary War. They helped create this nation. I am proud of that family history especially now as we realize that our current government is attempting to overthrow our democracy as we know it.

I visited the graves of my four great grandfathers, all of whom were in the Union Army during the Civil War. One of them was wounded and I understand died at an early age because of complications of that injury. Those men were heroes. They were not the “suckers and losers” that our current president shamefully describes when referring to people in the military. They were participating in the battles to keep the United States of America united. We are being put in the position of fighting those battles again. That is a disgusting reality we live with daily.

Millions of people have died in service to this country for almost 250 years. They died for the idea that our democracy is unique and is worthy of setting an example for other countries. We have been that “shining city on the hill.” Why is our current government attempting to end that honorable goal? My two brothers and I all served in the military. We served knowing that the U.S., even with the many errors made over the years, was an honorable nation.

But our current government is ignoring our proud history and even trying to replace our democracy with a government based on the whims and revenge fantasies of a remarkably inept and ignorant leader. My ancestors and family residing in Sunnyside would not recognize what this nation is becoming. Were their lives and the battles they fought to create this nation and to maintain the Union a waste of time? Were the sacrifices that millions of veterans and their families have made and continue to make all of wasted value because they are “suckers and losers”?

The good news – and, yes there is still plenty of it — will be celebrated this coming Memorial Day. I will be visiting Sunnyside Cemetery, of course. I will be greeted by a sea of American flags placed on the graves of deceased members of the military including my great grandfathers. One of the veteran groups places the flags every year. Honor, respect, patriotism lives. Thank you to those veterans. And I am truly sorry that the current government is working to limit the benefits you deserve and receive from the nation for which you proudly served.

I have never considered myself to be a particularly patriotic person. So, to my surprise, I find that my patriotism has increased during the chaos created by the current government. Many have fought to keep our democracy alive and well and the fight is continuing. The courts are doing their best to counter the current government’s excesses and people are out protesting and making their voices heard. Democracy is still alive in America. That patriotic fact makes me proud.

Jim Sherman

Coupeville