Hundreds of Coronado residents and veterans gathered on the anniversary of D-Day in support of a protest happening more than 2,000 miles away in Washington, D.C.
The rally in D.C. on June 6 came about due to proposals to decrease the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce by 15%, or around 83,000 employees. VA Secretary Douglas A. Collins announced that plan before receiving backlash, and subsequently clarified that those numbers represented more a goal than anything set in stone.
However, despite what has been said, veterans and military families gathered at the National Mall, intent on “defending the values and promises made to those who served.”
In Coronado, hundreds of people showed up at Spreckels Park to briefly hear WWII veteran Sgt. Walter Travis speak on his experience with the VA and their hospitals and health care before marching a few blocks down the street to the corner of 4th Street and Orange Avenue.
They gathered with signs, flags and encouragement for the community to “honk for veterans” as they stood on the medium repeating chants led by Mal Sandie, a retired Navy captain who led the rally.
Coronado residents and veterans gather for a rally for veterans on the anniversary of D-Day. Staff photo by Madeline Yang.
Coronado residents and veterans gather for a rally for veterans on the anniversary of D-Day. Staff photo by Madeline Yang.
Coronado residents and veterans gather for a rally for veterans on the anniversary of D-Day. Staff photo by Madeline Yang.
Coronado residents and veterans gather for a rally for veterans on the anniversary of D-Day. Staff photo by Madeline Yang.
Coronado residents and veterans gather for a rally for veterans on the anniversary of D-Day. Staff photo by Madeline Yang.
Coronado residents and veterans gather for a rally for veterans on the anniversary of D-Day. Staff photo by Madeline Yang.
