An Open Letter to Veterans From Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki
March 13, 2009 by John Allen · 16 Comments
WASHINGTON – Following is an open letter to Veterans from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki:
"My name is Eric Shinseki, and I am a Veteran. For me, serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a noble calling. It provides me the opportunity to give back to those who served with and for me during my 38 years in uniform and those on whose shoulders we all stood as we grew up in the profession of arms.
"The Department of Veterans Affairs has a solemn responsibility to all of you, today and in the future, as more Veterans join our ranks and enroll to secure the benefits and services they have earned. I am fully committed to fulfilling President Obama’s vision for transforming our department so that it will be well-positioned to perform this duty even better during the 21st Century. We welcome the assistance and advice of our Veterans Service Organizations, other government departments and agencies, Congress, and all VA stakeholders as we move forward, ethically and transparently, so that Veterans and citizens can understand our efforts.
"Creating that vision for transforming the VA into a 21st Century organization requires a comprehensive review of our department. We approach that review understanding that Veterans are central to everything VA does. We know that results count, that the department will be measured by what we do, not what we promise, and that our best days as an organization supporting Veterans are ahead of us. We will fulfill President Lincoln’s charge to care for ". . . him, who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan . . ." by redesigning and reengineering ourselves for the future.
"Transforming any institution is supremely challenging; I know this from my own experience in leading large, proud, complex, and high-performing organizations through change. But the best organizations must be prepared to meet the challenging times, evolving technology and, most importantly, evolving needs of clients. Historically, organizations that are unwilling or unable to change soon find themselves irrelevant. You and your needs are not irrelevant.
"Veterans are our clients, and delivering the highest quality care and services in a timely, consistent and fair manner is a VA responsibility. I take that responsibility seriously and have charged all of the department’s employees for their best efforts and support every day to meet our obligations to you. Our path forward is challenging, but the President and Congress support us. They have asked us to do this well-for you. Veterans are our sole reason for existence and our number one priority-bar none. I look forward to working together with all VA employees to transform our department into an organization that reflects the change and commitment our country expects and our Veterans deserve.
"Thank you, and God bless our military, our Veterans, and our Nation."
Signed: Eric K. Shinseki
Mr. Secretary:
First, thank you for your Honorable Duty to our Country, and thank you for answering this most noble calling to serve those who served with and for you, as well as those who served before and after you in your remarkable and distinguished military career.
Unfortunately, you have inherited a mess with a magnitude of unnecessary problems that were created by previous Administrations.
Nonetheless, you state that “We will fulfill President Lincoln’s charge to care for ‘. . . him, who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan . . .” by redesigning and reengineering ourselves for the future.
As you know, one of the last Acts of Legislation signed by President Lincoln was to incorporate the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War into Branches of National Homes for America’s Veterans across America.
On March 2, 1887, another Act of Congress was passed to locate, establish, construct, and permanently maintain a branch of said National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers west of the Rocky Mountains.
Section 2 of this Congressional Act specifically stipulates: That all honorably discharged soldiers and sailors who served in the regular and volunteer forces of the United States, and who are disabled by disease, wounds, or otherwise, and who have no adequate means of support, and by reason of such disability are incapable of earning their living, shall be entitled to be admitted to said home for disabled volunteer soldiers, subject to like regulations as they are now admitted to existing branches of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
On March 3, 1888, in compliance with this Congressional Act of 1887, John P. Jones and Arcadia B. de Baker, deeded and entrusted 300 acres of some of the most desirable and advantageous land in Los Angeles to the United States Government with the restated promise that the land was “to be permanently maintained as a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.”
Over recent years, this sacred land and Veterans healthcare facilities have been shamelessly prostituted, raped, pillaged and plundered by the VA with numerous “enhanced sharing agreements” to benefit commercial entities and non-profit organizations for purposes other than serving or benefiting Veterans.
There are an estimated 20,000 homeless Veterans in Los Angeles, yet this is their rightful “Home,” so stipulated in the covenants and promises of the Congressional Act of 1887 and the Deed of 1888.
Veterans look forward to your commitment to fulfill “President Obama’s vision for transforming our department so that it will be well-positioned to perform this duty even better during the 21st Century.”
Sometimes, you have to go backward in order to go forward. Please honor the Congressional Act of 1887 and the Deed of 1888 by rescinding all of these so-called “enhanced sharing agreements” that violate the covenants, promises and integrity of this sacred national trust. Please start with the immediate cancellation of the sharing agreement for a public community park on this hallowed land where Veterans are supposed to be healing from war in peace and quietude.
Robert L. Rosebrock
Co-Director, We the Veterans
Director, The Veterans Resolution
Following is a letter I emailed Secretary Shinseki March 10. If he’s serious, he will start by rescinding the 75-year Enhanced Use Lease by and between the DVA, A Community of Friends and New Directios and restoring the Sepulveda VA to a full-service hospital medical center/
PEGGY RANDALL BURGESS
8960 Aqueduct Ave. North Hills, Ca 91343
818-894-7425 peggy8960@aol.com
March 10, 2009
General Eric Shinseki,
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs – secva@va.gov
Re: Urgent! Sepulveda VA Medical Facility, 16111 Plummer St., North Hills, CA – Veterans vs.
Enhanced Use Lease by and between the VA, New Directions And A Community of Friends
Dear Sir:
I am a homeowner-stakeholder and member of the North Hills West Neighborhood (NHWNC) Land Use Committee.
I am writing to you because the situation here is serious and needs your immediate attention. It is crucial that you and the President step in to save the Sepulveda VA medical facility. Conversion of urgently needed medical buildings to apartments is unacceptable and must not be allowed.
As I’m sure you know, your predecessor signed 75-year Enhanced Use Leases with New Directions (ND) and A Community of Friends (ACOF). These leases allow them to convert two medical buildings at the Sepulveda VA (SACC) into 149 low income apartment units on 7.05 acres of largely undeveloped land on VA property, under the guise of sober living housing for homeless veterans. In order for ACOF to receive federal and state funding housing grants, current law prohibits this conversion from being exclusively for veterans. Therefore, civilians, albeit homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, could be living on VA property.
The 2004 estimated cost of this conversion was $40 million and there is no competitive bidding. It is undoubtedly at least double that today. According to local contractors, ACOF could build from scratch anywhere else for about $100,000 per door.
Financially, the Leases benefit only the Lessees since they will have title to the buildings and improvements plus 90% of the film revenue which, according to your Asset Management Dept., is estimated at $4,271,129 for 2009 and $5,766,025 in 2010. (Of course none of that money benefits veterans since Asset Management apparently doesn’t have to account for it.) Further you, as the Secretary of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (DVA), have the option to simply transfer all right, title and interest in the land to the Lessees at any time during the 75 years. All other financial information was redacted from the leases which we had to obtain under the FOIA, but it appears the VA gets nothing for the leases but services in kind, whatever they are. Bottom line, none of it is of any benefit to the majority of veterans who need a full service medical center.
Since the sole purpose of the Enhanced Use Lease program is to allow the DVA to lease, sell or deed federal lands to the private sector and clear the way for the VA to divest itself of unwanted properties, this amounts to nothing more than a massive land grab that is a slap in the face to the heroes who fought and died for it.
The two buildings, 4 and 5, were the psychiatric and spinal cord units. Both buildings are in very good condition, clean and floors are waxed. They can easily and fairly inexpensively be refurbished and staffed as medical buildings which are urgently needed. In fact, that could probably be accomplished for less than the amount of the 2009 film revenue. Those buildings would house 300-350 veterans undergoing treatment at any given time. Homeless vets can be housed anywhere, vets in need of medical care must be treated on VA property. So, even if those apartment units were for vets only, they would only serve 147 permanently while as medical buildings they would serve thousands. The choice to us seems pretty clear.
The Sepulveda VA was designed, designated and zoned for a hospital and full service medical facility to serve the needs of Veterans in this area. The land on which it stands was donated to the U.S. Government in 1953 for the veterans. The hospital facility was completed in 1955. It currently serves some 150,000 California veterans as far north as Santa Maria, northeast to Lancaster-Palmdale, the entire San Fernando Valley and much of the Antelope Valley. Tens of thousands more veterans will shortly be returning here. They will need and are entitled to the finest medical and psychiatric treatment and care money can buy. Treatment which they are entitled to receive in their immediate area. If you do not rescind those leases, re-commission buildings 4 and 5, and restore the Sepulveda VA to the vibrant full-service hospital and medical center it was, you will deny our veterans, our heroes, the urgently needed care to which they are entitled! Not to do so in a time of war would be criminal!
Because the Sepulveda VA has been allowed to systematically downsize, dismantle, gut and convert urgently needed medical buildings for use as film and TV studios and other non-veteran related uses, our veterans in need of hospitalization or urgent medical treatment must travel at least one hour further, and in most cases substantially more because they leave and return to the area via the world’s busiest freeway interchange (405 and 101) to the Westwood VA in West Los Angeles (WLA). Forcing veterans to spend from two hours to six hours driving for a medical appointment is criminal. The WLA facility is not equipped to handle the veterans in their own area, let alone all those from the Sepulveda VA area. There are no emergency facilities left now at Sepulveda, so when veterans in the assisted living/nursing home building have a stroke, heart attack or other life threatening emergency, 911 must be called and they also must be transported to the VA Westwood, at a time when seconds may be the difference between life and death.
The land on which the Sepulveda VA stands belongs to the Veterans, bought and paid for with their blood, and no one has the right to lease, sell or give it away without their approval. The veterans do not approve of the proposed use of their land.
A condition of the Leases is that the lessees obtain a Zoning Variance from the City of Los Angeles in order to proceed with their project. The L.A. City Zoning Administrator held the first public hearing on the Zoning Variance February 20. Over 200 people attended that hearing, it was SRO and people were being turned away. Over 150 veterans, community members, representatives of three Neighborhood Councils and the LAPD all testified in opposition. Over 500 letters and hundreds of petitions in opposition were also presented. That decision is pending. However, whatever the decision it will be appealed to the North Valley Area Planning Commission (NVAPC) by one side or the other. From there, it will no doubt be appealed on up the ladder a process that could take many, many months, if not years. Meanwhile, our veterans will be denied medical treatment and care and you could expedite the process by simply rescinding the leases.
General, I’m sure you are aware, as are we, that if that Variance is ultimately approved, it will open up not only the 7.05 acres on which buildings 4 and 5 stand, but the entire 160 acres of Sepulveda VA property to further undesirable development of all kinds by the private sector and you can bet none of it will be for the benefit of our veterans.
FYI, both the project and the Variance are opposed by the North Hills West Neighborhood Council (NHWNC), in whose boundaries the Sepulveda VA stands and the veterans it serves are stakeholders in the NHWNC. It is also opposed by the Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council (GHSNC), the Foothill Trails District Neighborhood Council (FTDNC). Combined the aforementioned Neighborhood Councils represent over 210,000 taxpaying stakeholders. Before the month is out the Northridge East and Chatsworth Neighborhood Councils will have declared their opposition formally as well, bringing the total to over 250,000 stakeholders in opposition. The project is also opposed by the Los Angeles Police Dept. Devonshire Division which covers the Sepulveda VA, San Fernando Valley Historical Society, the 5,000 members of The American Legion – 20th District, Department of California (including retired veterans, active and reserve military members), the local branch of Viet Nam Veterans of America, Veterans Today Network and dozens of other Veterans Organizations.
Note: The North Hills West community and the NHWNC have studied this project for over four years. Two separate NHWNC Land Use Committees and two separate Boards have voted to deny it. .
General Shinseki, our tax dollars support the DVA so there is no need for it to enter into Enhanced Use Leases with the private sector or divest itself of unwanted VA properties. May I remind you that:
• According to Congressman Bob Filner in January, 2009, the U.S. Congress increased your budget by an unprecedented 40% in 2008 primarily for mental health care.
• The stimulus package includes $1,000,000,000 for “medical Facilities for non-recurring maintenance, etc. Said funding to remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2010 provided that not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of DVA shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure plan for funds provided under this heading.
• On Feb. 24, 2009, President Obama promised the Nation and the Armed Forces that “we would give them the expanded health care and benefits they have earned.”
• According to PBS Front Line on Feb. 24, 2009, there are over one million U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and one out of every six is suffering from PTSD.
• Feb. 27, 2009 President Obama addressed the troops at Camp Lejune and stated that he wanted VA facilities increased and upgraded with state of the art diagnostic equipment for our returning vets. He wants our Vets treated for PTSD and other injuries associated with this war, and set August 2010 as the date most military people will be returning from Iraq and the last 50,000 by January 2011. He promised that “Veterans would be taken care of, that additional facilities would be built across the Nation to provide for them and that our debt to them will never end!’
Well, Sir, there is no need to build a new facility here, just restore and upgrade the one we have. The taxpayers in North Hills, CA and throughout the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys take the President at his word. Make no mistake General, the line is drawn in the sand right here at the Sepulveda VA. We want buildings 4 and 5 refurbished, staffed and used as medical buildings. We want the hospital re-built and the entire property restored as a full service in and out patient medical center. And we want it done now so that our returning troops are guaranteed the care and benefits to which they are entitled and which our President has promised they will have.
We expect the Department of Veterans Affairs to stop pursuing its own agenda and start representing the veterans, which is what it’s supposed to do. We expect you to fulfill the promises made by our President and restore the Sepulveda VA to the veterans.
Thank you and I look forward to early receipt of a favorable reply.
Sincerely,
Peggy Randall Burgess
Member NHWNC Land Use Committee
cc: President Barack Obama
Congressman Brad Sherman
Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith
Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Dianne Feinstein
David K. Rehbein, National Commander American Legion
Tammy Duckworth, VA
Paul Ricchoff, Commander IAVA
It has taken me several days to mull over this so-called “Open letter” from the Honorable Secretary. I wanted to give a condensed but meaningful reply, something that might make it to his desk. Today, the President spoke at the VA and made comments that, I hope, provide the punch in this message:
“And I intend to support this effort not just with words of encouragement, but with resources.” The “R” word. The precious land resources at the “HOME” at VA, WLA, CA, land that was enacted by Congress in 1887 specifically for Veteran patients is leased out, by the decision of local administrators, to non-Veteran, non-profit, for-profit organizations that violate the terms, conditions, spirit and intent of the Grant Deed of 1888. Take away these leases, especially the latest for a public park, and the Secretary and President will have valuable space on which to aggressively address (1) homeless shelter for more than 60 or 70, (2) quietude for PTSD and Head Trauma patients, (3) space to double certain facilities to meet the demand for gender specific quarters (4) area for preventative medicine programs to minimize acute treatment created by the exclusionary attitude that exists today. Remember, Richmark Entertainment has sponsored lavish private parties with booze adjacent to long standing rehab programs, with the approval of local administrators.
“when not a single veteran sleeps on our nation’s streets, our work remains unfinished.”
Not on this watch Mr. President. The “Biggest and the busiest” VA facility in the nation, the so-called “HOME” at VA, WLA, CA, is far from fulfilling its charter of 1887 because approximately 80% of the “gift” footprint is tied up in leases to entities that do not provide services that are 100% direct benefit to Veteran patients. Bobby Shriver has campaigned to resolve the homeless problem in Santa Monica and we can only “hope” that he does not intent to allow non-Veterans onto the recently selected homeless program while real Veterans still sleep in the bushes around this facility (we have proof of this because the Salvation Army already rents to non-Veterans on land it was awarded for $1 a year), again, at the allowance of the local administration.
“, it’s time to heed the lesson of history, that our returning veterans can form the backbone of our middle class”. Finally, a president with true vision. This man, a non-Veteran, has captured the words that I have been looking for to capsulate the efforts and passion of those who have rallied for 52 weeks in front of the VA (I’ll bet the Secretary has not been told this), because this is what Veterans have to contribute to the nation. Unfortunately, today’s “snapshot” is a magnetic ribbon approach to patriotism that pigeon-holes past generations of Veterans (who live longer than previous generations) as “old”, “forgotten” or
“crazy”. The returning Veterans will get their handle also but it won’t be “Backbone” of America unless this most scandalous “land-grab” of the sacred trust is revolked and the facility at WLA and across the nation are returned to what they were intended to be.
The last point I want to make is that Veterans are Veterans. No one single Veteran is more of a Veteran than any other, regardless of rank while in service or what he or she did. To this end, a Veteran advocate is just as knowledgable, passionate and understanding of the Veteran community as any commandant of any Veteran Service Organization and Veteran advocates, men and women who are not restricted by a clause in a Congressional charter or bylaw of an organization, can do as much, if not more, to bring a wrong into focus. This is the case at VA, WLA, CA, and we demand action, in the name of all Veterans.
I respectfully submit this to Veteran’s Today as a reply in hope that it will get the attention it deserves. To ignore this message is to contribute to an ongoing scandal.
We hope he keeps to his word and helps out all Veterans all over the Nation and especially help us in our plight at the Veterans Home in West Los angeles.
May he be enlightened in our Highway robbery that is taking place in the Home for all that served our Country that we may be a free Nation and not be robbed by those that did not serve and do not care.
I wonder if Mr. Shinseki is aware of the unjust and unfair treatment of honorably discharged military veterans that are legal permanant residents.
On the battlefield nobody asks if you are an american citizen,and when a LPR soldier is killed in action defending and protecting the rights and freedoms of all american citizens thier casket is draped with an american flag just like everybody else. So the question remains:Why are honorably discharged military veterans of THE UNITED STATES armed forces being deported after a felony conviction.
Mr.Shinseki will you please help us correct this injustice so that we may live legally with our american citizen parents,spouses,children,and siblings that are in THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
All we ask for is ONE opportunity to become productive members of the society that we served and defended.
google:deported military veterans, hector lopez deported veteran
General Shinseki -
I only wish you the best in the position you’ve accepted. Believe me, there is an incredible amount of work to do and problems to solve.
In your open letter to all Veterans you stated that the President and Congress support us, however, individual members of Congress frequently do not when it comes to maintaining support of their constituency. Case in point: The Westwood VA Property in Los Angeles is slowly being eaten up by land grabs and give-a-ways, deals the politicians have negotiated in order in stay in favor with wealthy campaign donors. The latest has been a 16 acre 20 year lease at $Zero cost to a Brentwood homeowner community group for a public park.
Senators Boxer and Feinstein along with Congressman Waxman pushed through this deal with the former Secretary of the VA. This is totally unacceptable! Please check with your Westwood staff and request a copy of the 2007 signed lease agreement and the two amendments. Please review this document. I imagine you’ll be out to Los Angeles soon and when you do, hold a press conference and proclaim that the lease is now null and void.
While you’re out west, also check out the situation happening at the Sepulveda VA Hospital in the San Fernando Valley. Housing for Veterans is being threatened there too.
Sir, the Veterans of the United States Military are looking for a real leader. With just a few selected acts, you’ll have an Army behind you. In these trying financial times the first budget items cut are for Veterans and we have to show strength and you’ll need and want our support. So many in the past have been ignored and we also have to look to the future. The returning Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan will have a whole other set of problems. Let’s not let them down.
Airborne.
Good luck in your job. You can be a saint and a small segment of the veteran population will still not like you. If you do what is morally right to the best of your ability, the Veterans Adminstration will be a better place both for the veterans and the employees.
“Veterans are our clients, and delivering the highest quality care and services in a timely, consistent and fair manner is a VA responsibility. I take that responsibility seriously and have charged all of the department’s employees for their best efforts and support every day to meet our obligations to you. Our path forward is challenging, but the President and Congress support us. They have asked us to do this well-for you. Veterans are our sole reason for existence and our number one priority-bar none. I look forward to working together with all VA employees to transform our department into an organization that reflects the change and commitment our country expects and our Veterans deserve.”
Sounds as if he is the damn prez himself, and prolly has the same misguided ideals to get it “transformed”. Howz ’bout this, stop the campaign, your side won already. Just do it and let us figure out that there is something different, K? Thnx.
Now, open thine eyes and see the horrors I have beset thee.
I look forward to positive change in the VA. Maybe more veterans should be provided the opportunity to serve in administrative capacities as who better to help other veterans. I know from experience that there are great doctors in the VA but other areas need tweeking by personnel that are leaders or know how to lead and manage. Time will tell and if you can make things better you have my respect and my help in any endeavor.
The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki,
I want to bring to your attention that the CANCER inside Military and VA Hospitals is called the FERES Doctrine. The FERES Doctrine is responsible for killing millions of American soilders from lack of care, since 1950 for murder, rape, malpractice all go unchecked inside the VA and Military Hospitals and when these terrible crimes happen its cast off as colerteral damage. The FERES Doctrine blocks all leaglly inducted personell into Armed Forces their Constitutional Rights to sue for grievances caused by the abuses of federal employees. FERES Doctrine is passed onto Congress by Justice Jackson of the Supreme Court bench in 1950 to the VA and Military Hospitals as title 38 law so our government has soverign imunity over all our healthcare needs once injured in combat we have the chilling effects of the FERES Doctrine. Look at http://www.vfvs.com website I founded a website called Voice For Veterans Services after I was arrested by Camp Pendleton MPs for using MWR as a mental health treatment option full story posted on http://www.vfvs.com link called “VETERAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY” I was told by a civilian DOD worker after 22 years usage of the beach camp that because I was not military retired that all disabled veterans that are military separated are considered “NOT DISABLED ENOUGH TO BECOME A PATRON OF THE MWR FACILITIES” 90% of us are considered military retired go to Math Test in Story Documents for breakdown of Military Retired verses Military Separted on VFVS. I went to San Diego Federal Court on these tresspassing charges and was baned and bared by General Hanlon Jr. General Lynch, and General Reinke for life any usage of MWR at Camp Pendleton. I opened up Voice For Veterans Services shortly after and eveything is posted on VFVS in cronological order in Story Documents of this injustice to our disabled veterans. I would like you to discuss and support Abolishing the FERES Doctrine so that all of Armed Services past, present, and future veterans will all have their Constitutional Rights to protect themselves from the chilling effects of the FERES Doctrine. We all risked life, limb, for the very same rights that Ameican civilians have but we in uniform don’t have thanks to Congress taking away our rights while we risk it all for America. ??? By taking away our rights to use MWR as a mental health treatment option was the first land grab by our governrment and its extended into the VALA Facility that Bob Rosenblock and VETERANS from all over is fighting for to keep the sacred land dedicacted to Veterans Healthcare since 1888 and we want Congress to protect it from the hands of civilians who want to convert this land it to public use? Congress Shall Make NO LAW and for the FERES Doctrine to even exzist is by many members of Congress BAD LAW. The residents of the VALA Hospitals were all told that they can not protest the land grab by civilians of Brentwood if they are a resident of the VALA hospital. Veterans Freedom of Speach is stolen time and time again because of bad law with no Constitutional Rights in place to protect us we are treted and will be continued to be treated like 3rd class citizens. Full Mandatory Funding of the VA will never hapen as long as FERES Doctrine is allowed to be title 38 law killing us everyday. I advocate abolishing the FERES Doctrine so we have equal rights as all Amercians and will be able to sue for malpractice, murder, rape among other isuses that happens everyday in the VA and Military Hospitals as collerteral damage is the excuse of the day for our government to continue these abuses becasue CONGRESS does not want to fully fund the VA instead steal the VA healthcare money from assured funding sites like the VA and use this much need funding as pork barrle spending is more important that spending money on much needed healthcare for the VA. ABOLISH FERES go to MANDATORY FULL FUNDING OF THE VA AND CHANGE WILL HAPPEN. If FERES Doctrine is allowed to destroy another 60 years of healthcare it is no doubt and I speak from experience as a victim of FERES Doctrine a 100 times worse than slavery of the cival war because every Amerian soilder is dehumanized by FERES Doctrine with no Constitutional Rights to protect ourselves once injured in combat.
Seriously Damaged,
100% disabled by FERES Doctrine abuses and my complaints are filed with Congressman Bob Filner, Veterans Affiars Committee and recently a letter went to President Obama and its time for CHANGE
Mr. Robin J. Rustan (RUSTY)
I have written to the local paper editorial board about the injustice of the land grabs at both the Westwood and Sepulveda hospital facilities . We must make the local bureaucrats and those in Washington D.C that this is not acceptable Veterans deserve a good home
By Toni Reinis and Dora Leong Gallo
Updated: 03/12/2009 09:08:05 PM PDT
These Community Organizing groups (New Directions and ACommunity of Friends) don’t need our veterans land to set up a place to do this or any project . They just want to get their foot in the door so they can get other veterans land all over the country. There are plenty of foreclosed properties out there in the private sector that they can purchase and set up homeless housing if they choose to but they want the veterans land for nothing but a small fee.This is not acceptable, the local land owners, homeowners,Neighborhood Councils, and the local and National veterans groups are against this plan but these parasites won’t give up and they will use the papers and anything else they can to sway the opinions their way. Don’t fall for it. If you don’t think this will happen to other VA facilities all over the country you are sadly mistaken.
It is no secret that the VA wants to divest itself of this and other property which was donated to the U.S. Government in for veterans’ use ONLY. In order to accomplish this, the VA and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs have devised a unique program, the Enhanced Use Lease, which allows the VA to lease out parts of the facility to the private sector for a minimum of 75 years. These Leases may be altered or amended in any way and for any reason, at any time during the 75 year period. The Lessees have title to all property and improvements, they may mortgage the property for any amount and they also have the option to purchase it or, at the option of the Director, it may be gifted to them. Of course this is not legal according to todays rules on local zoning of veterans land so they seek a zoning change to accomplish this last hurdle to their plan. It has to be stopped in it’s tracks
These leases would represent a gross misuse of VA assets and facilities.
USAF Veteran & American Legion Member
Dear Mr. Secretary, one problem you absolutely will NOT have in your new position, is finding a place to start working. You can turn 360% on the VA map and start in any direction, and you will find problems. I don’t envy you, I would like your job. It would give me a chance to get rid of the “dead wood” and the “plank holders”, in the VA, and replace them with the honest, ernest, dedicated, caring people that would love the opportunity to serve this nations highly deserving Veterans and their dependents. If you look to the far west, (250%) you will find, “The Great Los Angeles VA Medical Center Land Grab”. It Started over 20 years ago. Bits and pieces, in the form of acreage has been relinquished by the past Los Angeles VA Med. Cntr Directors to various agencies for their personal profit. The latest is the Brentwood Park Conservancy who just ripped off 16 acres of Hospital land for what is dubbed a PUBLIC park, not a VETERANS park. Brentwood is where O.J. Simpson lived if you recall. It is actually some of THE most expensive property in the United States. Prior the to the 16 acres for the park was lost, a Prep school was built on the Hospital grounds, it costs almost $30,000. a year to attend. The VA’s “go to” person is, Ralph “Judas” Tillman, the best hatchet man to Veterans, west of the Mississippi. Big money is at the root of the VA’s lost land, and most of the money that changes hands is not visible.
The essence of the “Land Grab” is the acquisition of property for the Brentwood community to enhance their already very expensive homes and ultimately have the
380 acres of beautiful green VA land become a, “Central Park West”
Kudos to Dave Culmer, a stand-up, speak-the-truth Marine Veteran. Dave has been an eye-witness to all of the nefarious culprits and egregious land-grabbing over the past two decades, which has always been done under the shameful guise of honoring and benefitting Veterans.
Dave specifically nailed Ralph “Judas” Tillman, who has betrayed Veterans at every chance he can get, all for the blessings of the high muckety-mucks in the neighboring community.
While Tillman, director of “asset management” at the VA Greater Los Angeeles Healthcare System, recently denied Veterans the right to use restrooms on Veterans property at the 121st Anniversary of the Deed of 1888, he should’ve been fired for this inhuman and despicble act. Instead, he keeps his job and is given the additional title of “Acting Director of Public Affairs.” He was promoted by fellow VA bureaucrat Donna Beiter, the new Director of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Beiter sent out her Memorandum announcement to “GLA Leadership and Corporate Staff.” Well, there’s certainly no leadership at the GLA VA, but it certainly has become a leader in the “corporate” sense, as in the Wall Street and Bernie Madoff kind of corporate greed.
This is a “Veterans Home” and not some business enterprise with “asset managers” to prostitute this sacred land to the highest bidder. President Lincoln would condemn the shenanigans of these VA bureaucrats as anti-American.
Dave is “right on the money” when he recommends that “dead wood” and “plank holders” at theVA need to be replaced “with the honest, ernest, dedicated, caring people that would love the opportunity to serve this nations highly deserving Veterans and their dependents.”
A complete house cleaning at the GLA VA is absolutely imperative if Secretary Shinseki really wants to transform the VA into a 21st century model.
Secretary Shinseki would serve all veterans extremely well if he would hire Dave Culmer as a senior aide to begin the house cleaning.
Attention all United States Military Veterans and friends,
You have heard Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki swear to you and American citizens, his “DUTY HONOR COUNTRY” that he will bring about the CHANGES for Veterans according to the wishes of Barack Hussein Obama and also within in his own heart’s desire.
In war times, there always seems to a battle(S) won or lost by our Military that carries with it certain sacred symbolism that results in the ultimate victory of our nations objectives.
The battle for the National Veterans Home land located at Wilshire and San Vecente Blvds. in Brentwood, California appears to be one such conflict that General Shinseki must lead us to ultimate victory according the mandates of the 1888 Deed.
However, knowing the well intentions of human nature which in the “heat of a moment” will swear an oath, but generally due to certain political pressures will fall short of, if not outright refuse to carry it out.
Nevertheless, despite the General’s well intention, it is still up to us “foot soldiers” of “We the People” to enforce his oath and promise that he has made in writing to our worthy Veterans.
Therefore, it is imperative that we directly involve ourselves on the front-lines of the weekly ongoing battle on the Corner of Wilshire and San Vecente Blvds at the Gate of Entry to the Veterans Home Land.
Please, join our leader, US Military Veteran Bob Rosebrock and his “commando-ranger-special forces” band of Brethren there at what is now becoming a legendary battle for all US Military Veterans as to how they will be cared for from hence forth as long as there is a United States of America.
Let the well meaning General know that we don’t serve him, but he serves the people who pay his bills, and that victory in Brentwood is victory for all of our beloved US Military Veterans everywhere and in the future.
As the first and foremost DUTY HONOR COUNTRY that General Sheseki can do is enforce the Congressional Act of 1887, which is the will of John P. Jones and Arcadia B. de Baker, and save the National Veterans Home Land…NOW.
If we need a reminder to join up with Bob and his dedicated Band of Brethren, the next time you see one or more of the many Veterans dwelling homeless around the outside of their own Deeded land, or any of the thousands throughout the Los Angeles region and of the nation, let that be your inspiration to “take up arms” for those who bore arms for our freedom.
The active duty Military personnel is depending on us to insure that they have a home land should they need it when they return from protecting us.
Thank you for your “DUTY, HONOR, Service”
Ted Hayes
One of the Band of Brethren
Shalom In Jerusalem
One thing that stands out profoundly in General Shinsek’s letter is his capitalization of the word “Veteran.” This shows the respect that Veterans deserve and it should be required as proper English and depicted as such in the Dictionary. A “veteran” is anybody with career experience, i.e., veteran athletes, actors, etc. “Vet” is where we take sick dogs and animals.
Since we capitalize the United States, America, President, Senate, Congress, etc., why not capitalize the word that identifies those who made it all possible: Veteran.
Why not pass a legislative bill that requires the capitalization of the word “Veteran” in all public communication. And why not require the same for Military, Armed Forces, Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Seaman, Airman, Troop, etc. It’s time to give all of our protectors of freedom and independence the respect and honor they deserve, all the time. It’s an idea worth capitalizing on.
Absolutely!