‘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 neighborhood 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 Endorsement our Veterans Another explained A few gave all all gave selected Respect our Vets Organizer and former NBC war correspondent Brad Willis stated that Coronado s position as a military town home to a Naval Base Coronado made the protest particularly potent We believe that the veterans consistently had our backs and it s time right now that we have theirs revealed Willis Several former organization 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 disclosed 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 necessities 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 Organization of Sponsorship Act As we have heard people are getting remarkable care at the VA Howard Somers stated What we are here to do currently 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 help our vets and promotion 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 exigency vehicles honked in endorsement 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 noted former U S Navy Seal and Coronado resident Al Kovac to the crowd I can t tell you how much I appreciate the advocacy
