ST. JOSEPH / BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- A newly formed non-partisan organization named SWMI Indivisible has announced a celebration of local veterans on the June 6 anniversary of the WWII D-Day invasion in France in 1944.

The “D-Day – Demonstration Day Rally For Vets” commemorates the invasion on the beach at Normandy 81 years ago.

"SWMI Indivisible is calling for residents to show up, stand up and speak out against DOGE and the 'Big Beautiful Bill' cuts to the government programs at the Veterans Administration," organizers said.

The demonstration will be followed by a thank you toast to veterans when guests can “Buy a Vet A Bev” at The Livery in Benton Harbor.

Several published reports indicate cuts to the Veterans Administration will include the following:

• Job Eliminations – The VA is planning to cut 83,000 jobs which will impact services.
• Reduced Access to Healthcare including fewer outpatient visits, wellness checks, cancer screeneing and mental health support.
• The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) could lose staff, increasing the backlog of disability claims and delaying benefits for veterans and their families.
• Cuts to major construction projects, including upgrades to hospitals and clinics which could negatively impact veteran healthcare
• Many VA employees are veterans, and proposed cuts would affect their employment and could also impact the quality of care provided to other veterans.

“On June 6, 1944 nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Today, 81 years later, we are standing up and speaking out for those brave men and for all men and women who have answered the call to serve at home and abroad," SWMI Indivisible Steering Committee Member Denise McGowan Tracy said.

"On holidays like Veterans Day and the 4th of July, we wave the flag and say we honor and respect these men and women, and yet too many of us are sitting on the sidelines watching as the GOP Congress, under the direction of Donald J. Trump, slash the very programs that help our veterans. A planned $40 million dollar parade while programs are being slashed is the height of the hypocrisy displayed by this Administration on a daily basis. Think of the good that $40 million could do for veteran services. That’s why we are asking our Southwest Michigan community to; Show up. Stand Up. Speak Up. 'NO CUTS TO VETERAN PROGRAMS AND THE VA!'"

Organizers say SWMI Indivisible is using the 160,000 troops of D-Day to try to get 160 concerned SW Michiganders to show up on Friday.

"Participants are encouraged to bring signs with messages directed at The Trump Administration, the GOP Congress and other officials who seem to believe that The United States Constitution is a merely a suggestion," the group said.

"Following the rally, we’ll move to The Livery, 190 5th Street, Benton Harbor, MI where we will 'Buy a Vet a Bev.'  Members of SWMI Indivisible and other community members will thank our veterans for their service by purchasing them the beverage of their choice and extending ‘Thank You’ and ‘Welcome Home’ toasts throughout the evening."

The ally for veterans will take place at the Veterans Administration Office at 1275 Mall Drive, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Buy a Vet A Bev event will follow at 6 p.m. at the Livery (190 5th Street, Benton Harbor).

No registration is necessary and there is no charge to participate.

"As with all SWMI Indivisible events, our policy is for peaceful protests to express our displeasure," organizers said. "We discourage confrontation and condemn violent acts."