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America has always been great. There are flaws, but I would not choose to live in another country.

My husband, who is a Vietnam veteran, and I attended the Veteran Rally on March 27 on the veteran’s square by the memorial. There were many veterans there along with family members, also others who have or had a family member in the military. We were there to share our support for veterans health care and benefits. With the cuts that have happened and possibly many more that may come, we are very concerned as many others are. Our veterans put their lives on the line and take an oath to protect our country. One just needs to go to the VA clinic/hospital in Minneapolis to see the many veterans who go there that need and qualify for medical care. There are young, old and many in-between. Many in wheelchairs, many with lost limbs, many with prosthetics and others with silent issues. We are also very lucky to have a VA clinic in Albert Lea that serves many local veterans. The PACT Act from 2022 added even more veterans eligible for help with their health. How can 80,000 plus staff cuts aid in quality care? We as a nation need to support our veterans, and that is why we were at this rally.

There were comments by those of little minds after the rally that think this rally was about a dislike of Trump. We were standing up for veterans. As the WWII veteran shared in his talk: Cuts may need to be made with a scalpel, not a chain saw. Remember those who have and are giving us the freedom we have, our veterans.

Carla Lindeman
Alden