We swore an oath to protect this country and uphold its Constitution. That commitment didn’t end when we hung up our boots. But these days, we’re left wondering whether our sacrifices, and those of countless others, are valued.
Memorial Day is a time to honor those who served and sacrificed for this country. But as veterans who dedicated our lives to defending the freedoms we all cherish, this year feels different. It feels heavier.
That’s because the very values we fought for — freedom, equality, opportunity — are being rolled back by the same government that once relied on our service. From eliminating diversity and inclusion programs to restricting the teaching of hard but necessary truths, these changes are heartbreaking. They don’t reflect the military we were proud to be part of. And they certainly don’t honor the full legacy of those who wore the uniform.
Serving has taught us many things, namely that this oath of protecting and serving our country does not expire. “Liberty and justice for all” is ingrained in our lives, but with the Trump administration seeking to erase the historic contributions of women and people of color who have bravely sacrificed their lives for our nation, we pose the question: for whom does “for all” actually entail?
Despite baseless and false attacks stating otherwise, the fundamental American values of diversity, equity and inclusion or DEI are not divisive — they are the very foundation of a stronger, more unified military and nation. DEI ensures that every service member, regardless of race, gender, disability or background, has an equal opportunity to serve and succeed.
DEI programs have helped dismantle barriers for women in combat roles, addressed disparities in healthcare access for veterans of color, and ensured accommodations for disabled service members so they can continue to thrive. Without these values, the Trump administration is not just erasing history — it is endangering our future by building a force that is less capable, less inclusive and less prepared to meet the diverse challenges.
As two veterans, we are patriotic as they come, and know firsthand the bravery and dedication to servitude to our country. Yet our life’s dedication now reads as “content not found” on government websites. Where’s the consistency in that?
In 1948, the U.S. Military was the first federal agency to desegregate, paving the way for us to join in defiance of the societal limits placed on us as minorities. While this was a moment of pride for us both, it was also an early signal of the pressures we would face: proving that we could do a “white man’s job.”
We continued to fight, not just for our place in the ranks but for the right to be seen as equal to our male and white counterparts, despite the systemic barriers that continue to surround us. The issue of gender and racial equality within the military is certainly not a new one. And despite the strides we have made, it is far from resolved.
To describe our jobs as dangerous would be an understatement: flying through typhoons and treating soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorders returning from Vietnam, all while struggling to process our own mental health trauma from war, was not for the faint of heart.
Our military journeys have been shaped as much by our daring professions as by facing systems that have tried to silence or ignore us. Black Americans make up 19 percent of active-duty military enlistments, and women make up roughly 17 percent; and I cannot imagine these numbers will increase, given the pervasive attempts to erase our identities.
We gave our lives to the military, and yet, upon reflection, we realize how hollow the American dream still feels. We are speaking up because just as it is our duty to protect this country, its values and its promise of equality, it’s time for the country to fight for us in return. Our service may have ended, but the fight for equity and recognition continues.
Nearly 3.5 million veterans report having a disability, and current attacks on DEI disproportionately harm them. The Department of Defense’s recent purge of DEI content from military websites has resulted in the erasure of historical minority contributions to the military, sending a harmful message to disabled veterans, particularly those from minority backgrounds, by diminishing their contributions and experiences.
People like us stand as a testament to what diversity, equity and inclusion can do for this country. When we provide a space for everyone to contribute, we make this nation stronger. But when those who have served are overlooked, we are left with a fractured system that fails to live up to its promises.
That’s why we cannot afford to let things stay the way they are. As veterans, as citizens, as people who have sacrificed, we must demand change. We must ensure that the rights and privileges we fought for are not only upheld but expanded. And that starts with supporting the rights of veterans, supporting DEI initiatives, and ensuring that every American, no matter who they are, has a seat at the table.
Sylvia Andersh-Gonzalez is a U.S. Air Force veteran, medical professional, career military spouse, daughter of immigrants and current cancer patient, with experience serving in five VA hospitals. Ed Anderson is a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, retired science educator and Georgia lead organizer for Common Defense, with a distinguished career in military meteorology, broadcast journalism as the first African American TV meteorologist at WXIA-TV, and public service.
