📢 We are United not Divided for Veterans
🗽 Our resolve is stronger than ever, our movement can not be silenced.
People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
I want to express my deep and sincere gratitude to the American armed forces, our veterans, and their families. Your sacrifices have made our nation stronger.
I am also sorry our nation has failed you in many ways. Our leaders have become greedy and fail to recognize that your sacrifice and your families deserve our profound appreciation. Our troops and veterans, their families, and our nation deserve better. My promise to you is we will not forget. We will not stop. We will fight to defend your rights and freedoms as you have fought for us.
Our Veterans Defended This Nation; We Owe Them Leaders Who Defend the Values they Fought for
Knowledge is power, and by understanding the threat to our Veterans, we equip ourselves with the tools to protect our Veterans, and our rights, freedoms, democracy, and the people we love. Let's keep pushing forward, hand in hand, for a brighter future.
Despite the lack of care and concern for our Veterans by radical Republicans, crazed Conservatives, the MAGA cult, and Donald Trump who has been elected president but is not a leader, we will not abandon our veterans or the nation we love.
January 6th Attack: While Capitol police—many of whom were veterans—were attacked during the January 6th insurrection, former President Trump did nothing to intervene, dishonoring the memories and sacrifices of those who served to protect democracy.
Aspiring to Dictatorship: Trump’s recent vow to become a "dictator" on “day one” disregards the democratic values veterans have fought and sacrificed to defend, undermining their legacy and the freedoms they protected.
National Security Leaks: Trump’s sharing of national security information with unauthorized individuals jeopardizes the safety of Americans and endangers the security veterans have risked their lives to uphold.
Classified Document Misuse: By taking and refusing to return classified documents, Trump compromised national security, dismissing the importance of veterans' work in safeguarding sensitive information.
Admiration for Dictators: Trump’s praise for dictators like Putin, Hitler, and other authoritarian figures goes against the values that American veterans have defended, such as freedom and democracy.
Support for Authoritarianism: GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans have shown support for Trump’s abuses of power, prioritizing loyalty to Trump over the values veterans served to protect.
Dehumanizing Language: Trump’s reference to Americans who disagree with him as "vermin" demeans the sacrifices of veterans who served to protect the freedoms and dignity of all Americans, regardless of political views.
Opposition to the PACT Act: Several Republicans voted against the PACT Act, which provides essential healthcare benefits to veterans exposed to toxic substances, denying veterans the care they need and deserve.
Blocking Military Healthcare: Many Republican members of Congress have opposed protecting abortion access for military families, adding stress and uncertainty to the lives of service members and veterans needing comprehensive healthcare.
Tuberville’s Hold on Military Promotions: Senator Tommy Tuberville’s hold on military promotions for anti-abortion purposes has disrupted the lives of thousands of military families and undermined military readiness, putting veterans' interests and national security at risk.
Housing and Healthcare Insecurities: Despite knowing that many veterans struggle with housing and healthcare, Republican lawmakers have consistently blocked bills that would address these issues, leaving veterans vulnerable and unsupported.
Failure to Address PTSD and Mental Health Needs: Many Republicans have opposed expanding mental health services, leaving veterans suffering from PTSD and other conditions without adequate care.
Cuts to Social Services: Proposals from Republicans to cut social services threaten the welfare of veterans who rely on programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and food assistance for survival.
Privatization of Veterans Affairs: Republican efforts to privatize VA services risk reducing the quality of care veterans receive and could lead to increased costs, impacting their access to needed medical support.
Opposing Housing Assistance Programs: Several Republicans have opposed funding for affordable housing programs that would benefit veterans facing homelessness, ignoring the pressing need to provide safe and stable housing for those who served.
It is our turn to have the back of those who had our backs, who fought to defend our rights and freedoms, and at times made the ultimate sacrifice.
America is our shared promise — a commitment to keep moving forward, to face challenges head-on, and to uphold the values of unity, courage, and compassion.
We are better than our worst days and can and will right the wrongs of our past.
We will not cower to bullies or fools, and we will do the work to protect and empower those we love and fiercely advocate for our veterans, our rights and freedoms, democracy and push for freedom over fascism.
The strength of a nation lies in its people coming together, contributing their unique perspectives, talents, and experiences to build something greater than themselves.
In the words of Rick P Martinez, USMC Vietnam Veteran, Veterans For America, Founder:
AMERICA'S PROMISE
If our Veterans are sick let us heal them
If our Veterans are hungry let us feed them
If our Veterans seek employment let us hire them
If our Veterans need a friend let us befriend them
If our Veterans need peace let us pray for them
If our Veterans need a home let us shelter them
For the Veterans who sacrificed for our freedom...
Let us show them
America is grateful
Our veterans, their families, and their children—they belong to us. They're not someone else's concern; they're part of our community, and it's on all of us to seek solutions that support them. Our troops, our veterans, and their loved ones deserve more. We won't overlook them, and we won't give up. We'll keep pushing forward, honoring their sacrifices by fiercely advocating for their well-being.
America’s Promise: Videos of Inspiration
Obama Remarks at the Veterans Day Ceremony
JFK’s Veterans Day Remarks | Military Times
In Summary
In today's world, the values our veterans defended are increasingly under threat from forces that seek to erode our rights, suppress dissent, and control lives. Fascism has no place in a society built on liberty and respect for human dignity. By standing against these threats, we honor our veterans' legacy by ensuring that our nation remains one where freedom is celebrated, not feared, and where diversity is embraced, not silenced.
Honoring our veterans is more than gratitude; it's about standing together to uphold the freedoms they defended. These brave individuals gave their strength, time, and, in many cases, their lives to protect our democracy and way of life. They embody resilience and courage, sacrificing so much for the vision of the Constitution and America, where freedom, justice, and equality thrive. By honoring them, we affirm our commitment to keep that vision alive, showing that their sacrifices were not made in vain.
To truly honor our veterans, we must take up the mantle of defending freedom ourselves. Their courage and sacrifice remind us that democracy requires vigilance, respect, and action. Let us be inspired by their example, and let us protect what they so fiercely defended. When we champion freedom over oppression, we create an America worthy of their service and a future worthy of their dreams. Together, let's ensure that our Veterans’ sacrifices have not been in vain and that America continues to stand as a beacon of freedom shining brightly for generations to come.
Together we can champion Progress and Power to the People
People Power United members are committed to championing progress and power to the people. We don't just complain; we do the work to make change happen.
Friends, this is a plea for help with our People Power United efforts. With our membership growing, we're building momentum, but we need your help to reach even more people—every bit of assistance counts. Together, we can make a difference!
Click here to send a message Don't Sanitize U.S. History to Appease Republicans
Click here to upgrade your subscription or become a paid subscriber
Give us a ❤️ heart and leave a comment on this post
Share this post on your social media channels
What can we do to Stop Project 2025 and Mobilize for Change?
There are several things that we can do to affect change, and here is list of powerful actions we can take:
Sign-up for the Resist Project 2025 newsletter.
Attend a 1-Hour Stop Project 2025 training or host a training.
Bookmark this page. It is our resource on Stopping and Rejecting Project 2025 and it will be updated as needed. It also has links to the plan and additional resources.
We also need to keep building community connections, showing up, and speaking out for one another.
Remember our values at People Power United: In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, transphobia, misogynoir, elitism, and bigotry! These are not just words; we must be willing to speak up for everyone in our community to vote and thrive.
People Power United Updates
Our group is growing by leaps and bounds! Folks understand that with love in our hearts and hard work, we will reclaim our nation from cruelty, chaos, and confusion. We are having fun making impactful changes in our community! In case you missed it, this past week was busy:
People Power United joined coalition efforts to urge Congress to Address Mishandling of Kavanaugh FBI Investigation
People Power United joined coalition efforts to urge Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit
We sent out updates and news briefs on Protect our Planet, Reproductive Freedom for All, and Resist Project 2025
Stay connected, get People Power United on the Substack app
Additional updates can be found here.
Laurie’s Post-Election Message
After living in Florida for over 30 years, I've witnessed firsthand how easily rights, freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law can erode in a red state.
I share with many of you the feelings of deep disappointment in seeing the election of former President Trump and convicted felon to the highest office of President, the loss of the U.S. Senate, and the precarious hold on the U.S. House. This is not just a matter of politics—it's personal.
The day we stop advocating fiercely for our families, friends, co-workers, and communities is the day we surrender to authoritarianism—and that day is not today.
There will be endless analyses, explanations, and debates about what happened and why. I'll share my thoughts when the time is right, but remember this: our voice remains strong.
No one can silence us from speaking out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry!
No one can take away our resolve to demand accountability from our leaders to uphold the people's will.
And no one can extinguish our movement for progress and empowerment for every American to thrive.
This experience, like many others, is an opportunity to rethink how we protect and expand the principles we believe in.
We must come together, address this setback, and build a stronger, more resilient movement for the future.
Together with you, I am looking forward to turning this disappointment into a driving force for accountability, justice, and unwavering commitment to the ideals that brought us here.
- Laurie Woodward Garcia
Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry!
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progressive values and power for the people.
Is a veteran I appreciate your ideas and thoughts. We must continue to move forward and not give up to it currently is happening in these United States of America