Take time on Memorial Day to honor lives lost in service to the nation

Editor: One of the best ways to honor Memorial Day may be to spend a few quiet minutes walking through one of our nearby national cemeteries — at San Bruno, the Presidio or Dixon.

The rows of simple headstones quietly tell the story of America itself: veterans of wars, immigrants, nurses, pilots, mechanics, teachers, sons, daughters and spouses — each marked by only a few words engraved in stone, yet each representing a life that included service and sacrifice.

Walking among them is a reminder that our country has endured hardship, division and uncertainty before. The people buried there came from different backgrounds, religions and political beliefs but shared a commitment to the nation and to one another.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration has repeatedly been ranked the highest-rated organization in America, public or private. In a 2025 national survey, it received a remarkable score of 98 out of 100, the highest ever recorded.

Anyone who has attended a burial service or visited one of these cemeteries understands why.

At a time when political conflict often overshadows our shared history, Memorial Day, and each of the 155 national cemeteries, remind us that despite our disagreements, we remain part of the same long American story.

— Eric Peterson, Santa Rosa

Elward, a ‘strong-willed and fearless’ candidate for state Assembly

Editor: Bravo to Staff Writer Austin Murphy for his excellent reporting on the political hit piece on local TV and online platform ads regarding Jackie Elward’s campaign for state Assembly in the 12th District (“Billionaires target Elward,” May 18).

Murphy deftly corrected the misleading insinuations against Elward in the ads posted by Grow California — a political action committee that is “pouring tens of millions of dollars into negative ads targeting labor-backed Assembly and Senate candidates all over the state.” He also accurately inferred Elward’s popularity on the Rohnert Park City Council for her determined tackling of housing, homelessness, mental health and a host of other pragmatic issues addressing the fundamental human needs of her constituents.

Jackie Elward is strong-willed and fearless. She will be a top-drawer member of the state Assembly.

— Donna Brasset-Shearer, Petaluma

Intimidating high school referee is no qualification for office

Editor: The Flater/Gallaher money machine is at it again. They are now bankrolling Todd Landis’ candidacy for county supervisor (“Gallahers get behind Lands’ campaign,” May 17).

I don’t know Landis, but I do know that he was thrown out of the Cloverdale High School gym back in 2022 during his daughter’s basketball game, as reported by The Press Democrat. As a basketball referee for over 40 years, I know that it takes a lot for a spectator to get thrown out of a gym. You have to really cross the line. And he was mayor of Cloverdale at the time. That is not the type of leadership or example that I want for our children and community.

On the other hand, Tom Schwedhelm has been a model civil servant and community leader — police officer, police chief, city councilman and mayor of Santa Rosa. Schwedhelm has demonstrated his commitment to our community and county for decades. He understands the issues and will represent the 4th District well. There is no doubt in my mind that Schwedhelm is the most qualified candidate for 4th District supervisor. I would vote for him if I could. I urge everyone in the 4th District to vote for Tom Schwedhelm.

— Dan Galvin, Santa Rosa

Shopping for the right governor? Take a closer look at Katie Porter

Editor: I’m not impressed by the idea that California needs a billionaire as governor. What’s interesting is that one of the main criticisms people seem to have about Katie Porter is that she got frustrated with staff members. As a retired corporate sales manager, I understand that. There were times when pressure and poor results caused me to lose my temper. The important thing is taking responsibility afterward, and she apologized.

What matters to me is her record. I watched Porter in Congress for years and was consistently impressed by how clearly she explained complicated issues. Her whiteboards helped ordinary people understand what was really happening in government and the economy. She often sounded like one of the few voices of reason and logic.

One thing she said really stayed with me: “I go shopping. I know what it’s like.” That matters because Californians are struggling every day, and many wealthy politicians seem disconnected from real life.

I am 86 years old and have lived through decades of war and political chaos. We’ve heard promises from billionaires before. I believe voters need to pay attention, follow the money and support leaders with experience, understanding and compassion for ordinary people.

— Elaine B. Holtz, Santa Rosa

Ignore wealthy opponents and vote for Measure B

Editor: The election on June 2 is very important for California. Besides having to vote for who will win the governorship primary, we are also being asked to vote on Measure B, a continuation of the quarter-cent sales tax to fund the SMART train. I am 80 years old, and I know at some point I will be unable to drive. We need public transportation. But the best reason to vote for it is because a local multi-millionaire poured money into trying to stop the SMART train. He has a private jet. Aren’t you getting tired of rich people using their money to tell us what we need to do? When my daughter was 3 years old, I asked her to do something and she said, “You’re not the boss of me!” Well, he is not the boss of me, either. Vote yes for Measure B.

— Connie Kellogg, Sebastopol