An Open Letter to Veterans from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with comments appended from numerous Los Angeles Veterans :
[img]408|left|Gen. Eric K. Shinseki||no_popup[/img] “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 Dept. 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 re-engineering 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 No. 1 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
Responses:
The Mess Starts in Brentwood
By Robert Rosebrock
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.
Mr. Rosebrock is co-Director of We the Veterans and Director of The Veterans Resolution
Four Areas of Need
By Frank Juarez
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.
(Yesterday), 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 the VA in West Los Angeles, 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 percent of the “gift” footprint is tied up in leases to entities that do not provide services that are 100 percent direct benefit to Veteran patients. [Santa Monica City Councilman] Bobby Shriver has campaigned to resolve the homeless problem in Santa Monica, and we can only “hope” that he does not intend 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 the “backbone” of America unless this most scandalous “land-grab” of the sacred trust is revoked 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 hope this will get the attention it deserves. To ignore this message is to contribute to an ongoing scandal.
We Are Being Robbed
By Julio J. Yniguez,
American Legion Post 123
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.
Evicting Veterans
By Hector Lopez
I wonder if Mr. Shinseki is aware of the unjust and unfair treatment of honorably discharged military Veterans that are legal permanent 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 their 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 we may live legally with our American citizen parents, spouses, parents,spouses,children and siblings who 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.
A Case of Mismanagement?
By David Bischoff
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.
U. S. Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein along with Congressman Henry 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. 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. We have to show strength. You will need and want our support. So many in the past have been ignored. 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.
Critics of Brentwood Homeowners
By Toni Reinis and Dora Leong Gallo
These community organizing groups (New Directions and A Community 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 or a small fee. This is not acceptable, the local landowners, homeowners, neighborhood councils, and the local and national Veterans’ groups are against this plan.
But these parasites won't give up. 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 that was donated to the U.S. government 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 today’s 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 its tracks
These leases would represent a gross misuse of VA assets and facilities.
A Different and Urgent Problem
By Robin J. Rustan
Disabled Veteran
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 soldiers from lack of care, since 1950, for murder, rape, malpractice all go unchecked inside the VA and Military hospitals. When these terrible crimes happen, it is cast off as collateral damage.
The FERES Doctrine blocks all legally inducted personnel in the armed forces of their Constitutional rights to sue for grievances caused by the abuses of federal employees.
FERES Doctrine was passed onto Congress by Justice Jackson of the Supreme Court bench in 1950 to the VA and Military Hospitals as Title 38 law so that our government would have sovereign immunity over all our healthcare needs once injured in combat.
Look at www.vfvs.com, a website I founded called Voice For Veterans Services after I was arrested by Camp Pendleton MPs for using MWR as a mental health treatment option.
No Shortage of Veterans’ Problems
By Dave Culmer,
A 20-year career Marine
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 degrees on the VA map, 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 deadwood and the plankholders, in the VA, and replace them with the honest, earnest, dedicated, caring people who would love the opportunity to serve this nation’s highly deserving Veterans and their dependents.
If you look to the Far West, (250 degrees) 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 have been relinquished by the past Los Angeles VA medical center 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 to the 16 acres for the park being lost, a prep school was built on the hospital grounds. The school 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.”
A Commendation for Culmer
By Robert Rosebrock
Kudos to Dave Culmer, a stand-up, speak-the-truth Marine Veteran.
Dave has been an eyewitness 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 Angeles 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 despicable 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 definitely 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,” 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 deadwood and plank- holders”at the VA need to be replaced.
A complete housecleaning 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 housecleaning.
The General Is Well-Intentioned
By Ted Hayes
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 be 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 Vincente boulevards, in Brentwood, 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 good intentions of human nature, a person,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 out the promise.
Nevertheless, despite the General's well- intentioned pledge, 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 Vincente boulevards, at the Gate of Entry to the Veterans Home Land.
Please, join our leader, U.S. Military Veteran Bob Rosebrock, and his commando-ranger-special forces Band of Brethren there, at what is now becoming a legendary battle for all U.S. Military Veterans as to how they will be cared for, 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 U.S. Military Veterans everywhere and in the future.
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 are depending on us to insure that they have a home, should they need it, when they return from protecting us.
Ted Hayes,
One of the Band of Brethren.
Shalom In Jerusalem
