The Takeover Begins
After the last of the Civil War veterans passed away, around the 1950s, the property was taken over by a corporation. The buildings, gardens and community that had thrived for so long began to deteriorate, as did the spirit of the deed. Commercial interests, facilitated by a few veteran leaders who acted like carpetbaggers, began to encroach upon the land. Within a decade, a feeding frenzy by non-veteran, non-profit and for-profit entities had been created.
Cranston’s Good Deed
Remember U.S. Sen. Alan Cranston? He initiated legislation that protected the center of activity of the land, now referred to as the "Historical" section. I can tell you that more than 80 percent of the areas used on the facility today, including large parts of the historical section, are not for the direct benefit of veterans. In fact, one entire floor of the main hospital is suspected to be used by business people who have nothing to do with the V.A. And now, Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) is demanding field inspections to find out about poor land-use policy. This brave act by one of the few electeds who have veterans at heart may be too little too late. He needs our help.
Names Lost in the Dust
I wish I could tell you the names of those brave men and women who started blowing whistles on "land grabs" as far back as the 1950s. But only their good work remained, like folklore, amidst the local veteran community. Veteran activists and advocates in the late ’70’s and early ’80’s used the foundation that was laid when a previous director, following a congressional mandate to develop a 25- year plan, engineered (at great expense to the V.A. budget) his own plan. This plan not only circumvented the Cranston Act but opened the door for enhanced leases that would long outlast today’s veteran population.
An Advocacy Group
Thus, the formation of Citizens for Veterans’ Rights, an advocacy group that gets involved where veterans service organizations won’t or can’t. How many times have we gone to the American Legion, to the VFW, to AMVETS with solid arguments only to be told that they cannot become involved in politics or that they are already working on it? Well, we can, we have and we will continue to do so until this land is secured and the entire nation respects that. We are committed to preventing a very dangerous precedent from being set. If veterans are not recognized as the intended beneficiaries of this land, what will happen to your V.A. facilities? We already know about the many V.A. facilities that are under attack. We know how this will negatively impact service for returning veterans and those of us who have tried to stay out of V.A. hospitals. But age is working against us.
Support Is Sought
In order for us to be effective, we need your help. Please disseminate this plea for support. Next, ask as many veterans to email or send a post card of support to Citizens for Veterans Rights, at cfvr@sbcglobal.net If they need the regular mail address, use Citizens for Veterans Rights, c/o AMVETS Post 2, P.O Box 2814, Culver City, CA 90231-2814.
Postscript
We are as serious about this subject as about the other issues regarding veterans that I’ve read. Unfortunately, we, as the at-large veterans community, have been fragmented and disenfranchised far too long. Meanwhile, opportunists and carpetbaggers have profited from the use of our name and resources. Meanwhile, too many brothers and sisters have died because the focus to serve all the ills of all the veterans is too obscure.
(Signed)
Francisco
CFVR
Culver City 90058.
