As part of a national effort, veterans and their supporters rallied at the Nation’s capitol as well as state capitols in all 50 states at noon on March 14, 2025 to stand for the protection of veterans programs, such as the Veterans Crisis Line, which are endangered as specified in Project 2025 by the current administration.
As of February 2024, the VA employed over 400,000 people, reflecting the sheer number of veterans in need of care. Many of these veterans served in Iraq and Afghanistan, wars that left long-lasting physical and psychological scars on those who fought. According to a leaked memo, the Trump administration plans to cut 83,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a move that critics say would severely impact medical care and support services for veterans.

KGVM was in Helena for the Veterans rally and recorded audio, selections of which we share with you. It was cold and very windy, with snow flurries flying and the hardware on the flag pole constantly clanging over the voices of the speakers and the crowd, amplifying the emergency nature of our national situation.