Veterans in Distress Get Support from VSO's and Presidential Candidate

A Presidential Candidate and VSO’s Are Answering Veterans "Distress Call"

By Robert L. Rosebrock

On Sunday, June 9th, fellow Veterans Dick Breithaupt and Gil Flores held the American flag upside down to send out the "Distress Call." This took place outside the National Veterans Home because the Los Angeles VA had rented out Veterans property for a raucous AIDS carnival fundraiser that included a Ferris wheel, water slide, circus tents and men demonstrating as drag queens while disabled Veterans were trying to convalesce in the quietude of this hallowed land.

One week later, the Call was being answered when the American GI Forum of California signed a petition at their State Convention stating "The Forum supports ‘We the Veterans’ and their Mission to hold Sunday Rallies until the public park agreement is canceled and the Declaration of Enforcement becomes an Amendment to the Deed of 1888."

Then a week later, the American Legion of the California State Department answered the Call by signing a petition at their State Convention in Bakersfield, stating that the Legion would "not endorse the establishment of a public park for use by the community generally on land donated for the exclusive benefit of veterans, and should not endorse any use of the property at the Veterans Home Land which is not for the “sole purpose of providing veterans a place to heal from war.”

This past week, the American Independent Party of California (Constitution Party) held its State Convention in Los Angeles.  Their presidential candidate, Chuck Baldwin, answered the "Distress Call" by attending this past Sunday’s Rally in support of our cause to save Veterans land. He also endorsed the "Declaration of Enforcement" and then challenged the other presidential candidates to do same.

Chuck also challenged California Senator Diane Feinstein to sign the Declaration and fulfill her pledge to "build the finest healthcare facility in the nation for America’s veterans." He further challenged Congressman Henry Waxman, whose 30th District encompasses this largest VA in the nation, to sign the Declaration and demand that Congress provide the necessary funding for Veterans healthcare and to stop the VA from leasing this hallowed land.

Candidate Baldwin spoke independently with each Veteran at the Rally instead of at them as a group.  He stayed for three hours and stated that he was "not here asking for Veterans support, but here to give my support for Veterans."

When was the last time any politician ever made that kind of an offer to America’s Military Veterans? When was the last time any of the politicians responsible for this land have ever supported Veterans protecting this land?  Ha! They’ve all supported the public park nonsense.

Chuck was obviously overcome with pride and emotion by the World War II Veterans who were in attendance to protest the land grabbing and government’s complicit giveaway.  He praised how they fought to defend our nation and liberated other countries around the world, and now they were standing on a busy street corner on a hot, sunny day trying to save and protect this land that was deeded specifically for Veterans healthcare 120 years ago.

He talked about how they could be spending the afternoon with their families, but instead, chose to stand shouder-to-shoulder with fellow Veterans and defend this sacred land that was entrusted to the U.S. government for Veterans use only.  Chuck praised them as great American patriots and challenged others to join in the noble crusade to save this land for today’s Veterans and future generations.

In attendance of the stalwart protesters were Steve Palmer, an 85 year-old WW II Veteran in a wheel chair, two 82 year-olds and two 80 year-olds of WW II and the Korean War, and one 80 year-old widow of a Veteran, a 73 year-old Korean War Veteran, along with several youngsters in our 60′s of the Vietnam War era.

There were also community supporters who enjoyed fellowship with Veterans over hot dogs donated by Jay Handal, chairman of the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and owner of San Gennaro Cafe, along with some cool and refreshing apple juice donated by Martinelli’s. Jay coined the phrase "Veterans Land For Veterans Use Only" and is a staunch supporter of Veterans causes.

Larry Breazeale, chairman of the National Veterans Coalition also attended Sunday’s Rally along with his wife Rebecca. They drove from Orange County and Larry expressed the dedicated support of Brigadier General Charles Jones III, USAFR Retired, founder of the National Veterans Coalition. Larry signed the "Declaration of Enforcement" on behalf of the Coalition.

Yes, the Veterans "Distress Call" is being answered and we are all extremely grateful for everyone who unhesitatingly and unselfishly stepped forward and have given their loyal support to this noble and just cause.

We are also very grateful that the "Today Veterans Network" has given us the opportunity to spread the news.

This coming Sunday will be the 17th consecutive Rally to "Save Our Veterans Land."

Related Posts:

• No Related Posts

Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=3154