I am a patriot. I have served this country in war and peace, on the field of competition and the front lines of communication. I have given everything to the United States of America. And this week, I was told I am no longer needed.

Like many fellow public servants, I received a letter stating I was being terminated due to alleged performance issues.

I was raised to believe anything worth doing is worth doing well. When I aimed to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, I was told I lacked talent and resources — too untalented, too poor, too ambitious. Yet, I persevered and made the team.

In 2017, I joined the U.S. Army as a field artillery soldier, stepping into a combat arms role that had only recently opened to women. I trained alongside men, proving my skill, endurance, and commitment. Though I never deployed to combat, I gave my body, mind, and soul in defense of this nation. My service was not just a job; it was a commitment to something greater.

After my military service, I continued serving. I joined the U.S. Forest Service, working for the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland. It was an honor to communicate vital health and safety information to the public, especially during one of the worst fire seasons in Central Oregon’s history. My job was to ensure communities had accurate, timely information about wildfires, closures, and safety concerns. I told the stories of those on the front lines and relayed public concerns to leadership.

I sacrificed sleep, personal time, and holidays to keep Central Oregon informed during a crisis. I poured everything I had into my job because I knew what was at stake: lives, homes, livelihoods, and the landscapes that define the West.

I have over 15 years of experience in public affairs.

And yet, this week, I was told my performance was inadequate. That I, and so many others like me, was no longer needed.

I am one of many.

Thousands of federal employees recently terminated are just like me — dedicated to service. While not all were firefighters, we were essential support, stepping in when resources were stretched thin. We processed permits for bike races, weddings, and camping events. We balanced conservation with industry through sustainable timber and grazing practices. We built and maintained trails, conducted wildlife surveys, and protected endangered species. We greeted visitors at front desks, cleaned campgrounds, and ensured public lands were accessible.

None of this work is glamorous. None of it is easy. But all of it is essential.

The people who were terminated this week were not bureaucrats in ivory towers. They were rangers, biologists, permit specialists, public affairs officers, recreation planners, hydrologists, and firefighters. They were the backbone of public land stewardship in America.

In a fire season where every second counts, who will ensure communities get the critical services they need? Without us, who will steward the public lands millions rely on? This is not just about jobs — it’s about safety, stewardship, and a government that works for its people.

I serve the American people.

I respect our Constitution, our government, and the will of the American people. I have spent my life in service to those ideals — whether in uniform, on the fireline, or in the offices managing our public lands.

This is not about politics. It’s about what it means to be a public servant. To be a patriot. To believe in something greater than yourself and dedicate your life to it.

Public servants don’t seek power, money, or prestige. We believe in the mission.

We remain committed. Whether in uniform, on the fireline, in the office, or in our communities, we will continue to serve the American people.

We were told we did not perform. We were told we are no longer of use to this country.

But to you, the American people, I ask: Is this the truth?

Isabella Isaksen lives in Bend. 

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