WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Public service is in Western New Yorker Alissa Ellman's DNA.

She joined the U.S. Army in 2001, still a junior in high school. Then early in her senior year, Sept. 11, 2001 happened.

"Boy was I filled with such pride to serve this country. I was immediately mobilized after graduation and deployed to Afghanistan in January of 2003," Ellman said at a press conference Tuesday in Washington D.C..

After her deployment ended in 2004, Ellman served as a military contractor in Afghanistan for four more years before returning home to get her degree. She worked in schools until 2017 when she fell seriously ill.

Doctors diagnosed Ellman with a rare form of cancer associated with toxic burn pit exposure.

"Finding out I was permanently and totally disabled was very depressing for me. I have always worked since I was 14. I always knew that I wanted to go back to work," she said.

Ellman eventually did start a new job as a file clerk at the Buffalo VA. She said she gave up her disability payment to work for less than $500 a month.

"Federal jobs are some of the few that will accommodate our disabilities. We need these jobs for purpose. We need them to connect with our battle buddies and to support veterans that they get the benefits that they so justly deserve," she said.

The Lockport resident said last week, despite exemplary reviews, she found herself one of 2,500 VA employees fired by DOGE.

"I worked until this last Tuesday when my boss and myself were not even notified about my layoff. I was just locked out of my computer," Ellman said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer brought Ellman to Washington this week to share her story and join him as a guest at President Donald Trump's Joint Address to Congress.

"In my opinion, supporting veterans should not be a political issue. Every American who enjoys the freedom and is thankful to veterans for their sacrifices should be in support of their employment," she said.