Sean Davis for Astoria

Over the past few weeks, I’ve continued doing what I believe matters most in a local campaign: showing up, listening, talking to people, and putting in the work.

Recently, I had the chance to speak with Richard Bates, the owner of the famous Short Circuit house. Even better, I happened to be there when Johnny 5 was unloaded from a cargo truck and brought into the Astoria Heritage Museum. As someone who grew up loving that movie, watching Johnny 5 arrive in Astoria felt like a little piece of childhood being rolled carefully down a ramp. Democracy may be complicated, but a beloved movie robot showing up in town is pretty easy to get behind.

Rogue Cell, the veteran nonprofit I co-founded, will also be helping throughout the Short Circuit 40th Anniversary weekend. We’re proud to support an event that brings people together, celebrates Astoria’s place in film history, and reminds us that community can be built through art, nostalgia, and the occasional robot with eyebrows.

Before that, I’ll have the honor of serving as Master of Ceremonies for American Legion Post 12’s Memorial Day ceremony. I’ll be giving a speech about the origin and meaning of Memorial Day, and then we’ll read the names of the military members from Clatsop County who gave their lives in service to our country, going back to World War I. Memorial Day is not just the unofficial start of summer. It is a sacred obligation to remember the people who never came home, and to say their names out loud so they are not lost to time.

I’ve also been speaking with Astoria Parks & Recreation about Rogue Cell helping commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Doughboy Statue this Veterans Day. That statue has stood watch for a century, honoring the service and sacrifice of local veterans. It deserves a proper community celebration, and we’re excited to help make that happen.

Rogue Cell is also teaming up with Sisu Brewing for a veterans’ art show at Sisu Astoria. We’ll kick things off during Art Walk on Saturday, November 14, with veterans reading poetry and prose, telling stories, and playing music. Art gives people a way to say what ordinary conversation often can’t. For veterans especially, that matters.

On the city side of things, I attended the latest City Council work session, where councilors discussed a new idea to help address homelessness in Astoria. It involves coordination of resources, an outreach officer, and lockers for people to secure their belongings. My first impression was encouraging. The council seemed to be working together and considering new approaches they believe could help our city. That is a positive thing. I’m rooting for it to work.

I know this issue divides people. It is emotional, complicated, and deeply human. But we cannot let the lack of a perfect solution stop us from acting. We have talked about homelessness for years. We need compassion, accountability, practical steps, and the willingness to try things that may actually move us forward. Waiting for a flawless answer is just another way of doing nothing but looking busy.

Election Day for the primaries just passed, and one thing that stood out to me was seeing more veterans stepping up to run for office. A friend of mine who served with me in Iraq just won the Republican primary for Oregon House District 11. Another veteran friend of mine, Lauren Connally, won Position 3 for the Deschutes County Commission.

My politics do not always line up perfectly with theirs, and that is okay. In fact, that is how representative government is supposed to work, despite our national habit of turning every disagreement into a cage match. I could not be happier for them because I know their character. They are honorable, competent leaders, and I believe they are the kind of people their communities need.

That is one of the things I value most about veterans in public service. We come from different backgrounds, different beliefs, and different political parties, but we know how to work with people we do not always agree with. We know how to focus on the mission. We know how to take responsibility. We know leadership is not about being the loudest person in the room. It is about being steady, accountable, and willing to serve.

I am excited to see more veterans running for office, no matter which side of the aisle they come from. Our communities need people who understand service beyond slogans. They need people who have already proven they can lead under pressure, listen when it matters, and put the mission ahead of personal ego.

And finally, this Sunday I’ll be calling Bingo at the American Legion starting at 1:30 p.m. Come on down, have some fun, support the Legion, maybe win some meat in the meat raffle, or take home the big $300 prize. It’s hard to explain the civic importance of a meat raffle, but once you’ve seen one, you understand that America is a strange and beautiful experiment.

I hope to see you there.