A Difficult Weekend for America
It's hard to find the words to express my sadness about the events that have transpired in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend. These are difficult times for our nation, but the American spirit is capable of extraordinary things and I believe that together we will overcome these challenges.
My heart aches for the families of Pilot Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, the Virginia State Police troopers who were killed in a helicopter crash while trying to deliver backup to Charlottesville. Heather D. Heyer was also killed when a car rammed into a crowd protesting a white supremacist rally. Heyer was not afraid to stand up against this evil and we must never forget her courage. Lt. Cullen, Trooper-Pilot Bates, and Heather Heyer are all victims of unacceptable terror and mayhem on our own soil.
The individuals associated with hate groups that terrorized the city of Charlottesville have betrayed America. Our veterans did not storm the beaches of Normandy on D-Day to see people betraying our principles and dishonoring their sacrifices now or ever. No individual who understands the immeasurable efforts that have made this country into what it is could ever have so much hate for other Americans. We have all shared in the struggle to build a better world and all true patriots will continue to do so.