Iraq War veteran Kris Goldsmith tried to end his life with Percocet and vodka after getting an unexpected mandatory extension of his service.

The Army let him go with a general discharge and, for five years he was in crisis, but his doctor at the Department of Veterans Affairs always made time for him, even if that meant skipping lunch.

Goldsmith went on to found a nonprofit that stands up against fascism and was among the many speakers at the Unite for Veterans rally on the National Mall on Friday in Washington.

The rally drew thousands, several media outlets reported, and featured the punk band The Dropkick Murphys, who performed a new song, "Who'll Stand with Us?"

The rally was planned ahead of massive job cuts across the VA. The agency was expected to release a plan in June to cut

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