Robert Alexander/Getty Images
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
VA's new mission statement ditches gendered language
March 16, 2023
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has updated its mission statement with a new statement that does not include gendered language.
According to a VA press release, the prior mission statement read, "To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise 'to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan' by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans."
The new statement drops the gender-specific terminology and no longer includes the Lincoln quote, though it still references the sixteenth president. The text of the new statement reads, "To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors."
The VA reported that various demographics of veterans surveyed preferred the new statement.
"In crafting the new mission statement, VA surveyed roughly 30,000 Veterans. Among Veterans surveyed, the new version of VA's mission statement was chosen over the current version by every age group; by men and by women; by LGBTQ+ Veterans; and by white, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian and American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans," the press release states. "The new mission statement reflects that VA serves all of the heroes who have served our country, regardless of their race, gender, background, sexual orientation, religion, zip code or identity."
"Whenever any Veteran, family member, caregiver, or survivor walks by a VA facility, we want them to see themselves in the mission statement on the outside of the building," VA Secretary Denis McDonough said, according to the press release. "We are here to serve all Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors — and now, our mission statement reflects exactly that."
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Want to leave a tip?
We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
Alex Nitzberg is a staff writer for Blaze News.
alexnitzberg
more stories
Sign up for the Blaze newsletter
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.