Veterans and supporters lined the sidewalk outside the Owensboro VA Clinic on Friday afternoon, raising their voices — and their signs — against proposed federal job cuts that they fear could compromise care for those who served.
The Veterans’ Support Sidewalk Rally, organized by Indivisible Owensboro, drew a crowd of approximately 50 people. The group gathered in response to a proposal from the Trump administration that would eliminate up to 80,000 jobs from the Department of Veterans Affairs. More than a quarter of VA employees are veterans themselves, according to a release from Indivisible Owensboro.
Among the crowd were former service members and their families, many holding signs with phrases such as “We love our vets, no cuts,” “Support U.S. veteran benefits,” and “Vets stood for us, we stand for vets.” While the rally was officially nonpartisan, some signs expressed pointed criticism of President Donald Trump, including at least one that called for his impeachment.
CPL Wayne Herbst, USMC (Ret.), a disabled Marine veteran, said many veterans rely solely on VA healthcare — and cutting staffing would be devastating.
“Many veterans depend on the healthcare they get from the VA — they would not otherwise receive it,” Herbst said. “Cuts would be hurtful to veterans as they would have an impact on services.”
U.S. Navy veteran Kevin Alvey, who receives care at the Owensboro clinic, praised the local staff and pushed back on the idea of job reductions.
“All of the people at this VA clinic take excellent care of veterans,” Alvey said. “There should be no layoffs. I think they should all get raises.”
Across the street, a lone counter-protester stood holding a sign that read, “President Trump loves American veterans.” Robert Morris said he came out to offer a different perspective.
“Owensboro citizens need to know the truth,” Morris said. “President Trump loves American veterans. He’s in the process of hiring back at least 8,000 military personnel who were fired for not taking the COVID vaccine, with full back pay. My colleagues across the aisle want to speak in hypothetical situations.”
Despite the difference in views, the rally remained peaceful, with honks of support coming from passing cars throughout the afternoon.
Lt. j.g. William G. Craig Jr., USNR, who served from 1970 to 1973, said that the country’s obligation to veterans should never be a political issue.
“When an individual swears, with his or her life, to support the Constitution, and does so honorably, a covenant is created between the United States and that individual to care for that individual always,” he said.
SP 5 Allen Holbrook, USA (1969–1972), agreed.
“Our veterans have done nothing to deserve a cut in services,” he said. “To claim that ‘waste/fraud/abuse’ exists at the VA is nothing but a smokescreen to cut funding that will dramatically affect the delivery of services.”
Laurie Campbell, one of the event organizers, said the rally came at the request of a local veteran concerned about the potential job cuts. She said she’d also spoken recently with a clinic employee who confirmed they were aware of the proposed cuts, though no official word had been given yet.
“He said, ‘Can we please do something?’ And I said, ‘Of course we can,’” Campbell said. “Veterans aren’t a waste — period. Veterans’ benefits and healthcare are not wasteful spending.”
Campbell emphasized that the message of the rally wasn’t about politics but about protecting those who have served.
“What this turnout tells us is that decisions being made in D.C. don’t necessarily reflect how people feel here,” she said. “This is a support rally. We’re here to say our veterans matter — and we don’t balance budgets on their backs.”
According to a release, Indivisible Owensboro “is a nonpartisan, grassroots movement with a mission to hold elected leaders accountable by using public pressure and to protect our democracy.”
“It’s important in these perilous times that we stand up for groups affected by these cuts,” said Judy Dixon, leader of the Indivisible Owensboro group. “The veterans have given so much for our country.”
Campbell noted that Indivisible Owensboro is part of a network of chapters across the state, many of which she said are seeing similar concerns raised by their own communities.
She added that the rally’s real focus was not on her or any organizer, but on the men and women it was meant to support.
“My role isn’t the focus here,” Campbell said. “The veterans are.”
