June 6, 2025: Unite for Veterans Rally in Washington, D.C.
On the 81st anniversary of D-Day, thousands of veterans, military families, and supporters gathered on the National Mall in D.C. for the Unite for Veterans rally.
They came from across the country to demand what veterans deserve:
Jobs.
Benefits.
Healthcare.
My husband and I showed up to stand with them.
To hear their stories. To thank them for their service.
And to honor the legacy of his grandfather, who served in WWII.
It was the biggest event we’ve attended so far.
It mattered.
It was powerful.
And it was personal.
I felt the weight of the day the moment I stepped onto the Mall.
The history.
The urgency.
The solidarity.
Most of the veterans I spoke with had already heard about the DOD photo purge—tens of thousands of historic military images wiped from the record—specifically targeting photos of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ service members.
They were appalled by the betrayal and the erasure of their service.
But few knew there was a campaign actively fighting back.
That’s why I came with more than just a sign.
I came to raise awareness about the work Visual Truth Matters is doing to preserve the full visual record of military service—and make sure the legacy of those who served isn’t quietly erased.
Because when photos disappear, people disappear.
And when people disappear, history gets rewritten.
See the veterans, signs, and moments that made this day unforgettable in the photo essay above.
Photos by Kevin Wolf/AP Content Services for Visual Truth Matters