Supporters in Rapid City join many thousands of demonstrators around the country today, speaking up for veterans
I was among a group of veterans and supporters in Rapid City at noon today, demonstrating against the Trump administration’s heavy-handed approach to remaking the government via massive cuts in programs and personnel, particularly those targeting veterans. We were actually part of a much larger, well-coordinated protest that took place at noon today throughout the country, including Washington, D.C., and every state capitol, along with other cities with an interest in the cause.
Though winds were gusting to 50 mph in Rapid City, a group of 30-40 souls committed to the cause came and made their point in front of city hall.
As 6.2 million veterans (me among them) depend on the Veterans Administration (we made 125 million healthcare visits in 2022) for some or all of their healthcare, we’re naturally dismayed by the Trump administration’s decision to cut 80,000 jobs from the VA, which represents 17% of the agency’s 472,000 workers. Those of us familiar with long wait times for care are naturally skeptical about how this large of a personnel cut will impact VA services, which are guaranteed to veterans, many of whom are disabled for their lifetimes due to service-connected conditions.
New VA Secretary Doug Collins insists that veterans’ benefits won’t be cut and that, “in fact, we are actually giving and improving services.”
I wish him and the Trump administration well, but I’m as dubious as the many vets who are complaining about the administration’s rush-rush approach to overhauling the VA. The most common complaint I hear among my fellow vets is about the speed-driven methodology that the Trump administration is applying to its zeal for reform.
To me, “reckless” is the word that comes to mind. The many veterans who depend on the VA for keeping their lives intact have good reason to be concerned or downright frightened. I was glad to see some supporters in downtown Rapid City today, many of them fighting to stay upright in the wind, making a case for a much more organized and deliberate approach to rearranging the Veterans Administration.
John Tsitrian is a businessman and writer from the Black Hills. He was a weekly columnist for the Rapid City Journal for 20 years. His articles and commentary have also appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Denver Post and The Omaha World-Herald. Tsitrian served in the Marines for three years (1966-69), including a 13-month tour of duty as a radioman in Vietnam. Republish with permission.
Photo: John Tsitrian
