Michiganders unite for veterans at Lansing rally
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — June 6 marks the anniversary of one of the largest seaborne invasions in history—D-Day, and in its honor, hundreds of Michiganders rallied in support of veterans who they say are facing an unprecedented attack on their benefits by the Trump administration.
The event was hosted by several groups to help defend veterans from a series of cuts that they say could impact their benefits and livelihoods, as the Trump administration plans to slash about 80,000 jobs to reorganize the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Many of these workers specialize in healthcare and other various services.
Retired veterans, husband and wife Jerry and Dale Blunk are fighting back in hopes of change.
'The benefits I get keep me alive,' said Jerry Blunk. 'When you get hit with something, like you need a heart transplant or change an organ or some kind of operation, I can't afford that, except for the VA.'
Jerry and his wife both go to the VA office in Saginaw for their medical and health needs.
VA Secretary Doug Collins has defended the upcoming cuts, claiming they would not impact veterans' health care or benefits, but Dale Blunk says she's already seeing a shift.
'There's already been a slowdown to the number of appointments that there are,' said Dale Blunk. 'Lab times, getting stuff done, surgeries being done. All that is starting to slow down, and they've hardly even started the firing.'
Dale says she feels that the cuts will lead to the VA becoming privatized, which she believes could result in higher costs for taxpaying Americans.
Kurt Shanks, a retired Navy submarine veteran, says that although he hasn't had to use his benefits, he still wants to defend his fellow servicemen and women from losing something they've fought so hard to get.
'I had the safety of a submarine hull,' said Shanks. 'Yeah, we had our share of fun and danger, but nothing like the people out there who are truly risking their lives, and America owes them everything.'
As the clock counts down on the VA cuts, Jerry Blunk fears his benefits could be on the chopping block.
'They may come along and say, 'Okay, we're gonna take the top 20% of the oldest retirees, and kick them the hell off the list,' said Jerry Blunk.
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