My dad lied about his age and joined the Army Air Corps. He served during World War II.

Veterans' Day reminds me of the time we spent together. His stories were like a time machine. They were a way for me to see and understand him as a rebellious 17-year-old on an incredible adventure.

We represent a lot of Veterans. Quite a few of them saw combat.

So every year I think not only about my dad, but also about our clients who survived Fallujah or Afghanistan only to come home and get run over by someone who had too much to drink, or who couldn't put down their phone.

The irony is palpable. And harsh.

It reminds us that some of the greatest dangers are the product of indifference rather than intent. We live in a society where people aren't necessarily malicious...they just don't care about anyone other than themselves.

I don't think I'm alone. Every year, Seattle University does a study that asks Seattle residents their top five public-safety concerns.

The biggest concern the last couple of years? If you guessed serial killers, gang activity, child molestations, etc., you'd be wrong.

Since 2023, it's been traffic safety.

It's unacceptable that anyone's life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness is going to be diminished or extinguished by people on the road who just don't give a damn about others. But it's particularly egregious when a Veteran gets run over by some dude who couldn't say no to a breakfast of fentanyl.