Holding the Line: A Call to Action for AVER

Joe Zuniga, 6th US Army Soldier of the Year (1992)

Fellow Warriors,

We have faced battle before. We held the line when others faltered. We have sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That oath does not expire when we hang up our uniforms. It does not wane when we step off the battlefield and into civilian life. We are veterans, and that means we do not back down, we do not stand silent, and we sure as hell do not comply with injustice.

We are living in a moment when the forces of regression expect us to stand at ease while they erase progress. They expect us to retreat in the face of their renewed assaults on social justice, to comply in silence while they strip away hard-fought rights. They assume we will fall into rank under their version of “meritocracy,” a flimsy cover for exclusion, a smokescreen for discrimination. They seek to make transgender Americans – our brothers and sisters, our comrades-in-arms – “invisible,” as if their service, their sacrifice, and their humanity can simply be erased. This is the battle before us, and we must engage.

This fight is not new. We stand on the shoulders of those who have fought before us – the soldiers of the civil rights movement, the warriors of Stonewall, the pioneers who fought against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Every step towards justice has been met with resistance, with forces seeking to turn back the clock on progress. But history has shown us a simple truth: those who believe in justice, in equality, in the fundamental dignity of all people, will always prevail – if they stand and fight.

From the struggle for racial justice in Selma to the fight for marriage equality, the arc of history bends only because people like us push it forward. We cannot afford to let complacency or fatigue allow extremists to reverse the gains of those who fought before us – many of us among them. We must take up the mission again and continue the march forward. If we do not, then history will judge us as those who failed to act when action was most needed, and when we had an opportunity to give more of ourselves as guardians of our democracy.

We know the playbook of those on the wrong side of history. They count on our exhaustion. They expect our compliance. They bank on our silence. They tell us that this is not our fight – that veterans should remain apolitical, that we should simply accept the status quo and move on. But history tells us otherwise. The history of this nation, one we fought to defend, was built by those who refused to comply with injustice, by those who raised their voices when silence was the easier path. We cannot and will not be silent. As veterans, we have credibility that cannot be questioned, and respect that has been earned through service and sacrifice.

As we stand up for the rights of our fellow Americans, we must also remain vigilant in protecting the benefits and care we have rightfully earned through our service. Executive orders and projected budget cuts threaten the very social safety net that many veterans rely on, including healthcare through the VA. We know that access to healthcare is not just about routine check-ups – it is about lifesaving treatment for conditions like HIV, mental health support for those struggling with PTSD, and resources for veterans battling substance use disorders. We must push back against any attempt to weaken or defund these essential services. We served with honor, and now we must demand that our nation upholds its promise to care for us in return. The battle for social justice includes ensuring that every veteran receives the care and dignity they deserve regardless of political affiliation.

Here is our mission, which I proudly take on as my own amid an assault on our communities:

Speak Up and Speak Out Boldly. Do not let extremist rhetoric go unchallenged. When politicians and pundits distort history and weaponize words like “meritocracy” to justify exclusion, call them out. Write to your representatives in Congress. Challenge them in town halls. Engage with your communities. Make it clear that equal rights are not a privilege but a constitutional guarantee. Our silence is their weapon – so let’s take it away from them and wield our arguments as weapons against hatred and intolerance.

Stand with Vulnerable Communities. Transgender Americans are being targeted, marginalized, and legislated into invisibility. That cannot stand. As veterans, we must make it clear that our oath to defend the Constitution extends to all Americans, including those whose rights are under attack. Get involved. Support LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. Make your presence known at rallies, meetings, and legislative hearings. When injustice happens and threatens our communities, be there – loud, proud, and unrelenting.

Rally the Vote for 2026 and 2028. Elections matter. Although they may appear too far off on the horizon, the 2026 mid-term elections loom large, and the 2028 presidential campaign will soon begin in earnest. Politicians who roll back rights must be held accountable, and those who stand for equality must be supported. Check your voter registration. Ensure your battle buddies do the same. Organize and mobilize with the same discipline and determination that you brought to your military service. We do not surrender ground – we advance.

Veterans do not abandon their post, and we will not abandon this fight. We have fought for democracy abroad, and now we must fight for it at home. Our mission is clear. Our duty is unwavering. Our country, our communities, and our conscience demand nothing less. Fall in, and let’s move forward – together.

Joe Zuniga is a US Army combat veteran who earned the Combat Medical Badge for his service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was the 1992 6th US Army Soldier of the Year who came out of the military closet at the 1993 March on for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. He may be reached at drjosemzuniga@gmail.com.