Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Editor, Times-Union:
Eighty-one years ago on June 6, a fight for the Free World was waged and won on the beaches of Normandy. The mission was to defeat Hitler, the Nazis and fascist rule in Europe. This year we again honor those troops for their bravery, their determination, and their sacrifices. This year D-Day is “on our own shores,” and now we must fight for the veterans who fought so bravely for us.
This year the 50501 Veterans, the Unite for Veterans Coalition and American Opposition have “issued a call for a nationwide mass mobilization on D-Day,” June 6, 2025. Peaceful rallies will take place in D.C. and in cities, towns, and many state capitals throughout the country. The purpose of the rallies is to remind all Americans of the promises made to our veterans to care for them, to protect their rights and to forever preserve their dignity. It is our duty to join in the fight to:
1. Reverse cuts to the VA and rehire fired employees
2. Honor our commitment to take care of veterans (the Continuing Resolution of the government spending package drafted and passed by House Republicans zeros out a $22 billion fund meant to cover expanded benefits for former service members sickened by military exposures — including burn pit smoke and Agent Orange water contamination — beginning October 10, 2025)
3. Support veterans in crisis (the VA is slashing workers at the Veterans Crisis Line, which fields 60,000 calls a month)
4. Restore the VASP program for Veteran homeowners (the only VA mortgage assistance option available to help when vets were delinquent on their mortgage)
5. Stop the drain of military sexual assault counselors (Pentagon delayed plans to hire more civilians to prevent sexual assault, suicides, and behavior problems in the military)
6. Overturn the ban on transgender service members. Personal identities do not detract from patriotic pride, necessary skills, or determination to defend and protect our country.
7. Restore protections for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs. The U.S. military has always been the strongest in the world BECAUSE it represented members from all walks of life; BECAUSE their uniforms made them equal; BECAUSE it included everyone.
8. Protect democracy and defend the Constitution
“Since Inauguration Day, this administration and Congress have declared war on our veterans and dedicated active duty service members.” Experienced and revered military leaders have been pushed out of their positions cruelly and indiscriminately — because they pledged their allegiance to the United States Constitution rather than to its most undeserving Commander in Chief.
“Today, we ask veterans, military families, and their allies to enlist in Operation Overlord 2.0 [the name of our mass mobilization campaign this D-Day] to defend the benefits, jobs, and dignity that every generation of veterans has earned through their sacrifices.”
Above information cited from:
https://50501-veterans-blog=jm04.glide.page/dl/d8fc49/s/bc1d00/r/a-t4X6upsQEfZCvt4Abw.A
Additional information: Explore these sites to see how you can help….
www.unite4veterans.org
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/veterans
Jeanne Tuka Schutz
Winona Lake
