Dear John,
Eighty-six years ago, Veterans Day was established as a time for Americans to remember and honor the sacrifices that veterans made serving our country. On Veterans Day, we pause to remember those who have served and their family members who sacrificed so much. Veterans have paid, and continue to pay, the price for the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. When our veterans finally come home, they bear wounds visible or invisible — few are unscathed.
If you are a veteran or currently serving in the United States military, Reserves, or National Guard, thank you for your service, for the sacrifices you made and continue to make in order to keep us safe and defend our freedoms. If you are a military family member, thank you for your continued support of your loved one.
And one last thing. I know that like me, many of you continue to be angry and outraged at the thoughtless and careless policies of a President who continues to clearly demonstrate that he simply does not care about veterans, military and military families, our culture, or our military heritage. He reversed and wiped away years of hard-won policies, progress, and support for racial equality, gender equity, and life-changing healthcare access and medical support for our trans siblings and barred them from serving.
He erased history from Department of Defense/Department of War websites, including the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen and Medal of Honor recipient Major General Charles Rogers, along with the Native American code talkers critical work during WWI and WWII because they were considered by the administration to be aligned with DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion). This administration also ordered the Army and Navy to delete webpages that highlighted the contribution of female soldiers and sailors.
Public outcry resulted in the administration restoring this information. We need to continue to speak up so that the current administration does not continue to erase the hard-earned progress made.
With gratitude and respect,
Cindy Smith
MSgt. USAF, Retired
Chair, DPO Veterans Caucus
Please note, the use of military rank, does not does not imply or constitute U.S. Department of Defense or Department of the US Air Force endorsement.
