D Day’s 81st Anniversary: Disabled Vets Made Their Voices Heard in DC
In a powerful act of civic engagement, thousands of veterans — and an estimated 200+ affiliated events — took to the streets on June 6, 2025, marking the 81st anniversary of D‑Day with a clear message: their voices matter, and they won’t stand by while the VA is gutted.
What Happened …
At 2:00 p.m. on the National Mall, a massive crowd gathered for the “Unite for Veterans, Unite for America” rally — veterans from across the political spectrum, banding together to protest the Trump administration’s plan to cut 83,000 VA jobs (about 15% of its workforce).
This wasn’t small — a march in solidarity occurred simultaneously in capitals across 43 states. The signs were bold: “VA Support Isn’t a Gift — It’s a Debt”, “Hands Off Veterans Benefits”, and “I Stand With Vets”.
Veterans and VA staff rallied for the VA nurses, clerks, caseworkers, and caregivers — many of whom depend on that pay to support families while caring for vets.
Why It Matters for Disabled Veterans
Veterans themselves make up a significant portion of VA employees — cutting VA staff doesn’t just affect institution behind the scenes; it threatens the people providing care to disabled vets.
One attendee, Navy veteran Patrick McLaughlin, said, “The VA is where I get my care … I’m worried the VA is being dismantled.”
Another, Marine veteran Stephanie Schroeder, explained that frontline VA staff were approaching breakdown — “One of them even broke down in tears … and she didn’t know how she would pay her bills.”
For vets with mobility issues, chronic pain, PTSD, or exposure-related conditions, fewer staff means fewer services, longer waits, and overall poorer health outcomes.
Unlikely Allies and Moments That Counted …
A standout moment came when Dropkick Murphys took the stage, firing up the crowd with a declaration from frontman Ken Casey: “When sh– ain’t right, we’re going to speak up.”
Veteran lawmakers also spoke:
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth reminded attendees that military valor wasn’t enough without respect and care: “You deserve better… since our warriors landed on Normandy …” — and led the crowd in shouting, “You deserve better; you’ve earned better.”
- Sen. Ruben Gallego said the cuts had pushed vets “to an existential moment.”
- Former Reps. Adam Kinzinger and Conor Lamb highlighted that support wasn’t partisan: “This is freedom — and support for our veterans against those that don’t appreciate it.”
What’s at Stake — and What’s Next
The proposed cuts are not theoretical — they are real, imminent, and deeply felt. VA morale reportedly plummeted, with many employees fearing layoffs and early retirements.
Local rallies — Detroit, Chicago, North Carolina — occurred across the country, showing this is not just a DC story.
Congress has begun responding: the House Veterans Affairs Committee pledged closer oversight, and an interim injunction has delayed some firings (source: militarytimes.com).
But the message is loud and uncompromised:
- Disabled vets demand continued access to care.
- VA employees deserve job security.
- America must uphold its promise to those who served.
What Disabled Veterans Can Do
- Share your story. Many of these cuts are being made without vet input. Speak up.
- Contact your representatives. Tell them you’re aware of the cuts — and you need answers and protections.
- Support VA employees. Even small gestures — like visiting or writing local VA staff — sent a message.
- Follow advocacy groups. Organizations like DAV, IAVA, VFW, and veteran unions are mobilizing.
Final Thoughts …
On D‑Day’s anniversary, disabled veterans honored their oath — to fight for their country, democracy, and each other. On June 6, they turned that spirit inward — protecting the VA and the care system so many depend on.
This wasn’t about partisanship. It was about dignity, respect, and accountability.
And make no mistake — when disabled vets show up, Congress listens.
VA poor culture warriors in there push all kinds of bogus narratives that pin everything on the veterans and absolve themselves of being the problem with this terrible healthcare system. Too bad people have to sue to even have a chance to get rid of them.
🤡 The beaurocracy missed it🤡
That can be used as an excuse all day long for denial of care and people ending up dead. We gonna let that nonsense continue for the rest of American history? Federal courts buy these lame excuses? How about we get rid of this system then if all they’re going to do is rely on that excuse. How about we get rid of the derelicts in there and get an insurance program going. They’ve failed and they’re gonna continue to fail!!!
You wonder how it’s legal for the government or any medical care entity really…to set up shop and portray itself as a healthcare system just to turn right around and deny care for a plethora of medical conditions. You got veterans out there with spinal disks that need to be replaced. They aren’t authorizing payment for that so people just waste away in pain for decades. They’ve done this to probably thousands and thousands so…. it’s time to sue them. Denial of care leading to suffering and hardship is a civil tort because it’s the law that they’re supposed to be providing healthcare to veterans period. The only way it wouldn’t be a civil tort is if we have derelict and dysfunctional political structures. In that case it’s about time people send their kids out of the USA and try to leave themselves if they can. A corrupt, unjust, plutocratic system like that will fail eventually when you have that sort of thing happening.
Always gonna be some scandal at VHA. One year they’ll be treating X, the next year they won’t. One year they’ll have hundreds of billions, the next year they’ll act like they have nothing. One year they’ll give out certain pills and certain treatments will be available, next year they yank the rug. The VA is not gonna be the answer to complete healthcare ever.
They still hiding the fact that they aren’t treating pain anymore? How did they sweep all those suicides and people leaving under the rug? Oh that’s right.. dead people tell no tales and everyone else can’t get a court date. What is different from the Russian government and the American government? Answer to that is. .a lot less with the Department of Veterans Affairs in existence. Doesn’t help when we have dead beat justices too.