Trump Tragedies features American workers whose lives were destroyed by Trump and his extremist policies. Testimonies submitted to AFGE are edited for clarity and length.
I am a disabled veteran who started employment at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center on March 24, 2024. I was hired as a Materials Handler in the warehouse, but due to staffing shortages I was immediately asked to work in the mailroom until more staff could be hired. I stepped up and put my all into learning the duties of the mailroom in order to ensure veterans’ appointment letters, medical supplies, prosthetics, and other correspondence reached them without delay.
Taking on new responsibilities
I took the lead on a Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 wide letter mail-out project consisting of 29,744 letters that were sent to veterans around all seven VISN 6 stations. I was recognized and presented with a certificate of appreciation from the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network Chief Logistics Officer.
After some months, our section was able to onboard two new employees and asked me to train them on our mailroom processes. Leadership then presented me with the opportunity to move to the warehouse because they were impressed and recognized my effort and hard work. I once again stepped up and learned an entire new list of duties and responsibilities as quickly as I could to ensure that I could continue to support our nation’s veterans. I went above and beyond to make our hospital and facility the best working environment possible.
I participated in morale events and volunteered to work the multiple unscheduled federal holidays to ensure others could spend time with their families. I started the process of buying back my military years with plans to serve the VA for the long term.
When a recent promotion opportunity to a new position within our same service became available, I was encouraged to apply by my leadership. They believed I could add a ton of value to our supply chain section in the new position with increased responsibilities. I was fortunate enough to be selected for the position and started on January 27, 2025. I again started fresh learning a new set of duties and responsibilities with a goal to be the most valuable asset I could be for the Salem VA.
Terminated
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, I received a blanket termination letter from OPM stating: “the Agency finds that your performance has not met the burden to demonstrate that your further employment at the Agency would be in the public interest”. I believe a termination based on my performance is a gross error and an unjust termination. I received an excellent performance appraisal rating from my supervisor, and he commended me on my ability to learn and contribute so quickly. I have been praised and recognized by my supervisor, leads, assistant chief, and section chief. Termination due to poor performance is a fabrication and flat out lie. I was wrongfully terminated without cause and without any notice.
We just bought a house
This has put my wife and I in a terrible place mentally and financially. We just closed on a house a few days ago and are trying to start a family. Our lives have been completely blindsided and upended without any chance to prepare. I am being told by HR that I have basically lost everything including the money I paid towards buying back my military service. I feel as though the government and the VA specifically is punishing someone who has served their country and then continued to serve by working as hard as possible at the VA. I now have a stain on my employment record and my reputation showing that I am a subpar worker with poor performance.
Will I even get the chance to explain to some hiring managers that the reason I was let go wasn’t because of performance, it was because someone lied? I’d imagine most hiring managers won’t see that the red flag is fabricated and pass me over before getting an explanation and the truth.
Punished for working hard
It feels even more unjust because had I not tried to better myself and take on more responsibilities with my new position, I would have been exempt from this blanket termination by staying in the warehouse as a materials handler.
I know there are leaders and organizations out there that care, and I thank you for taking the lead in standing up and fighting for everyone in my similar situation. Our story is still being twisted and misconstrued because the public is unaware of exactly how we are being treated.
Senator [Mark] Warner was kind enough to share my story on his Facebook profile. I’m seeing many comments suggesting that I must have been a “dirt bag” or “piece of garbage” for them to let me go. Others are assuming I was on a “performance-improvement-plan” and got an unsatisfactory evaluation and that’s why I was terminated. The employees and veterans of the VA, that are now having their reputation drug through the mud, don’t deserve any of this.
