Standing Up for Veterans: A Grassroots Movement Takes Action
In the halls of power, sometimes the most impactful voices are those that rise from the ground up. In light of the ongoing attack on federal workers, a dedicated group of veterans has been organizing a grassroots advocacy network to ensure their experiences and challenges are heard where it matters most.
These passionate advocates have been mounting a sustained campaign to bring critical issues to Congress’s attention through secure communication channels and veteran's federal worker networks. Their mission: shine a light on the struggles facing veterans in federal employment and protect vital services.
Over the past two months, this determined group has been a constant presence on Capitol Hill, meeting with more than 10 senators and sharing personal stories about policies affecting veterans' lives. Their advocacy focuses on:
Protecting veterans who are probationary federal employees facing illegal termination
Helping lawmakers understand how veteran federal employees who were terminated add additional strain to an already over-taxed Department of Veterans Affairs
Explaining the impact that potential VA budget cuts will have on critical life-sustaining services
Creating meaningful channels for veterans to share their challenges with lawmakers
Veteran advocates meet with Arizona Senator Mike Kelley.
The network has also strategically engaged four prominent Veterans Service Organizations, building a broader coalition to amplify their message. By combining personal narratives with organized outreach, they're transforming individual experiences into a collective call for change.
This is grassroots advocacy at its most powerful—veterans supporting veterans, turning personal challenges into a meaningful movement for policy reform.
Emilia Rastrick served in the U.S. Army as a Supply Sergeant from 1993-1999. Her two-decade career in public service spans the Peace Corps, non-profit sector, and 20 years as a public school teacher, culminating in her selection as a Presidential Management Fellow at FEMA. Despite outstanding performance evaluations and multiple deployments, Ms. Rastrick was among the veterans illegally terminated during the February 2025 firing of probationary federal workers, inspiring her advocacy work to protect veteran federal employees and defend veterans rights and benefits.
