STOLEN PROMISES
By Ralph W. Eckard
The purpose of this article is to address what has become a much debated and argued issued regarding land that was gifted and deeded to our nations veterans. It is intended that this will be the first of a number of articles addressing this matter. Articles will continue until such time that our elected officials and individuals employed by the Depart of Veterans Affairs to protect the interest of our nations veterans do their duty and at honorably.
In 1887, a time in America when its citizens, politicians and leaders had appreciation and respect for her veterans; families began donating land. This land was deeded for the sole purpose of establishing the first Soldiers Home west of the Rockies. The home was intended to assure that no honorably discharged disabled veteran would be left homeless. Over the years the land donations accrued to approximately 600 acres along what is now known as Wilshire Boulevard and San Samente.(sp)
Over the years, the land has come under attack many times. At one point Route 405 cut through the property, then Wilshire Boulevard itself was laid down reducing the property significantly. Veterans, who are truly the ultimate public servants, understand the need for growth and expansion and the sacrifices were made. The donated and deeded land now, only 128 years later, consist of approximately 16 acres.
There are approximately 1 million veterans living within a fifty mile radius of this deeded land.
Unfortunately, this land is a beautiful piece of real-estate, strategically located and worth approximately 50 million dollars an acre. This brings us to a more modern age. A time when our politicians and leaders don’t believe in keeping promises, nor do they care if others made promises to our veterans. Sure, we hear everyday how proud we are of our veterans and they are our nations heroes but, these are hollow words with little if no meaning.
As a disabled veteran of the Vietnam conflict I speak from experience. After Viet Nam the Veterans in this country were tossed out with the bath water by our government and its leaders. The “kids” of the military today are and will be treated no differently. Why shouldn’t they have been discarded when we consider the comments of such leaders as Barbara Boxer who stated several years ago that “we didn’t send our best or brightest to Viet Nam“. Could anything be more demeaning?
It is only because of “private programs” such as the Fisher House and Wounded Warriors and some select veterans organizations shoring up the Department of Veterans Affairs that our young veterans returning home are having their needs met.
In recent years there have been a number of attacks on the property. In 1988, an attack was made when a group wrestled for control of the veterans land under the false wrap of designating it as a veterans Conservancy. No one seemed to know what the function of the Conservancy was to be. The only thing clear at that time is that the intended use was not to serve veterans.
Today the veterans face the “Waxman machine”, supported by individuals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Ralph E. Tillman, Director of Asset Management for greater LA, is actively involved in this endeavor. It was always assumed that individuals employed by the DVA were selected or appointed to their positions to support and protect the interest of our nations. It now appears that Mr. Tillman and his Waxman machine are doing so to acquire this land.
Due to this, 1 million dollars has been spent to fence in the property which actually has a two sided purpose. The fence not only keeps our nations veterans off the land deeded for their use but additionally beautifies the entrance to Brentwood. Not only has the fence been erected, the ground now has built upon it a police headquarters, and is patrolled by multiple police vehicles all having been procured using funds intended for veteran care.
The grounds are patrolled by un- sworn Department of Veterans Affairs employees dressed in police uniforms. One would have to believe that the facility would have to request additional funding to support such a program from DVA Central Office in Washington, D.C. Since such facility improvements and staff would need to come from the Medical Centers annual budget additional funds would need to be granted by Washington. Does anyone wonder what Washington’s position is on this matter?.
The individuals wearing police uniforms who work for DVA are not sworn officers nor do they have independent arrest authority. Generally, Police and Security Services within the DVA try to garner authority from an agency within the Department of Justice such as, the Federal Marshal’s. The authority can vary from facility to facility as with the authority of these individuals to carry firearms.
In most instances permission to carry firearms is approved or disapproved by the Medical Center Director. In addition, Police and Security Service will have a varied structure. In some facilities the Chief of Police and Security Service will work for the Medical Center Director, in others it may be for the Chief of Engineering Service or even the Chief of Facilities Management Service. Any authority granted to these individuals is restricted to the grounds that the VA facilities occupy and only those grounds.
In consideration of what has been previously stated, it only garners one question, why there are volumes of photographs depicting VA staff in uniform performing functions off the DVA grounds? Case in fact is that these individuals have been executing arrest off DVA grounds.
Case in point involves Viet Nam era veteran Mr. Robert Rosebrock who was arrested for unauthorized demonstration or services in a national cemetery or other VA property. In fact, Mr. Rosebrock was by all accounts off DVA property. In another instance veterans are blamed for displaying a torn placard. The placard, referred to by the uniformed staff member, was indeed the flag of the United States of America. Additionally, in another matter veterans are accused of desecrating an American Flag and burning it on Wilshire Boulevard.
Do your politicians want this land so desperately that they will stop at nothing, including the humiliation and dishonor of our nations veterans? Millions of dollars are begin taken away from services required by our Veterans all over this great nation of ours to support the 30th district machine and their pirating. Word is that the grounds will be designated as a public park and used for functions such as carnivals, wine tasting events as well as a place for special emphasis groups to gather.
Let’s support our nations veterans and permit them to keep what they have earned and what has been promised to them. Do the words of one of Americas greatest Presidents not ring true anymore. President Abraham Lincoln clearly stated that this nation shall care for those who have born the burden of battle, his widow and his orphan. It’s about time that leaders of our country do the honorable thing. Keep this nations promises to our nations truest public servants. Our heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Bill Eckard is a Marine combat veteran, double amputee and served the VA for 34 years, much in the area of management and development of the prosthetics division.
(Bill and I served together in Vietnam. G. Duff)
Gordon Duff posted articles on VT from 2008 to 2022. He is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War. A disabled veteran, he worked on veterans and POW issues for decades.
Gordon is an accredited diplomat and is generally accepted as one of the top global intelligence specialists. He manages the world’s largest private intelligence organization and regularly consults with governments challenged by security issues.
Duff has traveled extensively, is published around the world, and is a regular guest on TV and radio in more than “several” countries. He is also a trained chef, wine enthusiast, avid motorcyclist, and gunsmith specializing in historical weapons and restoration. Business experience and interests are in energy and defense technology.
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