‘VA … saved my life’ – marchers in Coronado protest federal cuts to veterans benefits
The crowd in Coronado listens to testimonies from veterans regarding their personal experiences and time at the VA Photo by Swasti Singhai Times of San Diego For the st anniversary of D-Day district members gathered at Coronado s Spreckels Park in protest of the Trump administration s proposed cuts to Veterans Affairs services The crowd of approximately held up a number of signs with one stating Assistance our Veterans Another disclosed Chosen gave all all gave a few Respect our Vets Organizer and former NBC war correspondent Brad Willis noted that Coronado s position as a military town home to a Naval Base Coronado made the protest particularly potent We believe that the veterans unfailingly had our backs and it s time right now that we have theirs stated Willis Several former provision members described how beneficial care provided by the VA has been to them Louis Irvin a retired Navy veteran suffered a spinal cord injury on a ship in the South Pacific nearly years ago Since then he s received healthcare exclusively from the VA Without the VA I wouldn t be here Irvin stated VA benefits saved my life Veterans and non-veterans alike emphasized the non-partisan nature of supporting veterans as supporters gathered in Washington D C on the National Mall to make the same point Steve Phillips a cardiothoracic surgeon who worked at the VA spoke to the crowd about how the issue is not about politics but about principle adding that the VA has been the only place serving and understanding the specific demands of millions of veterans The fight is one that is deeply personal to Jean and Howard Somers who lost their son Daniel an Iraq War veteran to suicide Jean spoke about her advocacy work with Howard on Capitol Hill part of which culminated in the congressional bill the Sergeant Daniel Somers Veterans Architecture of Encouragement Act As we have heard people are getting remarkable care at the VA Howard Somers mentioned What we are here to do the present day is to make our voices heard to make sure that the VA only continues to improve We cannot afford any cuts We cannot afford cuts in personnel We cannot afford cuts in services Let s do everything we can to aid our vets and assistance the VA Carrying signs protesters march in endorsement of veterans Photo by Swasti Singhai Times of San Diego The crowd marched to the intersection of Orange Avenue and Fourth Street where numerous cars trucks and crisis vehicles honked in backing Organizers chanted protect our veterans honor our veterans and unite for veterans phrases echoed by the crowd Whatever happens in D C it s going to impact my entire family disclosed former U S Navy Seal and Coronado resident Al Kovac to the crowd I can t tell you how much I appreciate the advocacy
