February 3, 2011
Gen. Eric K. Shinseki (USA Ret.)
Secretary, Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Secretary:
You have been consistently and respectfully requested to terminate the public park agreement with Veterans Park Conservancy (VPC) that was initiated by Sue Young, VPC's executive director. You have been consistently reminded that Veterans Park Conservancy is not a Veterans organization by any stretch, but a wealthy homeowner group that has self-serving priorities that do not include the best interests of America’s Veterans.
You have been consistently informed that Ms. Young puts her wants and those of her fellow homeowners above the needs of our fellow Veterans.
You have been consistently forewarned that Ms. Young has done more to impact the homeless Veteran problem in Los Angeles County than any other person or group.
The attached letter from Lauren Bon, Board member of the Annenberg Foundation, to Ms. Young, informing her that their family's good name “should not be identified in any manner as a donor to the Veterans Park Conservancy,” speaks volumes and underscores what we’ve been conveying to you over the past two years that you’ve been Secretary of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
In a letter dated July 28, 2008, the American Legion, Dept. of California, sent a letter to VPC declaring: “Notice is given hereby that neither the Veterans Park Conservancy nor any of its agents, employees, representatives or others acting in concert with it, are authorized to represent in any manner, including publicity, that the Veterans Park Conservancy’s actions at the Veterans Home Land are endorsed by the American Legion Dept. of California.”
Sir, when two organizations as prominent and powerful as the California American Legion and the Annenberg Foundation send a letter disassociating their good names with VPC, then it’s time for you to follow their lead and disassociate the Dept. of Veterans Affairs from this homeowner group as well.
So long as you continue to give aid and comfort to Ms. Young and her homeowner group, you are hurting the very chances of helping us to bring our homeless Veterans “Home.”
How much longer are you going to bow to the demands of Ms. Young and her homeowner group instead of standing up for America’s Veterans?
On behalf of 20,000 homeless Veterans in Los Angeles County, this is to respectfully request that your Department sever all ties and relationships with Ms. Young and her organization, as it relates to this sacred land, and to immediately terminate the public park sharing agreement executed with Ms. Young on August 24, 2007.
Equally important, this is to respectfully request that you meet with all associated Veterans and assist us in organizing a Veterans “Stand Down” on the Grand Lawn where Ms. Young heretofore had planned to build her public park.
Time is of the essence, as we must provide immediate temporary shelter for our fellow Veterans who have been dispossessed and exiled from their rightful and legal Home. Your prompt attention to this urgent matter will bring about a long-overdue healing of these hallowed grounds, and bring about progress for the greater good of America’s fellow Veterans.
We respectfully await your full cooperation and immediate support.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Rosebrock
Director, Old Veterans Guard
Mr. Rosebrock may be contacted at rrosebrock1@aol.com
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