Representative Chrissy Houlahan

Dear [firstname],

Each year, we celebrate Memorial Day to honor those who have given their lives in service to our nation. It is a somber and serious day to reflect on and mourn the loss of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

As the daughter and granddaughter of Naval Officers, Memorial Day has always been important to our family. As a girl, no matter where we were stationed, my dad would decorate our home with American flags to make sure we remembered the brave patriots who lost their lives. Now, as an adult and as a veteran myself, I make it a priority to honor the fallen.

For the last several years, I have joined a bipartisan group of veterans in Congress to clean the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in honor of Memorial Day. I’ve done so with Representatives Seth Moulton, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Mike Waltz, Jack Bergman and Adam Kinzinger, to name just a few. I am grateful that, despite our differences in party, background and military service, we came together to honor those who gave their lives. (Unfortunately, this year, after more than 24 hours of debate, I and many others were called to the House floor on Thursday morning to vote on the Republicans’ budget bill, and we missed the event.)

Cleaning the Vietnam Memorial in 2023

I vividly recall my first visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I was a young mother still serving in the Air Force, and I came to Washington, D.C. with my dad who had served in Vietnam when I was just a baby. We saw a photo someone had left at the base of the memorial of a man in uniform with his wife and small daughter. Their family was so strikingly similar to ours, and seeing it left there made me feel profoundly sad for the family who lost their loved one. I was equally grateful that I was able to experience that moment at the Memorial with my own dad who survived Vietnam and retired after 30 years with the Navy. I know how lucky I am.

As you take this weekend to reflect on the service of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for America, remember the sacrifice of their families too.

I wish you all a meaningful Memorial Day and share the gratitude of a thankful nation to everyone who has lost a friend or family member while serving our country.

Serving as our community’s representative in Congress is the honor and privilege of my lifetime and I hope you will reach out about the issues you care about. By the way, if you were not able to attend our 98th town hall earlier this week, you can listen to it here.

As always, please contact my office if you need assistance.

Chrissy Houlahan

U.S. Member of Congress

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