WhatFinger


Veterans’ Group Claims the VA Has Disparaged and Dishonored Military Duty

Veterans accuse the VA of Stolen Valor



imageAmerican Military Veterans in their 60s, 70s and 80s from World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War are filing a formal complaint with the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Department of Justice requesting a full investigation into the Los Angeles VA, local politicians, and a neighboring homeowner group for desecrating and defaming their Honorable Duty to our Country and misappropriating billions of dollars of Veterans’ sacred land for non-Veteran use.

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Stolen Valor and Stolen Property

While the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 applies to “the unauthorized wear, manufacture, sale or claim (either written or oral) of any military decorations and medals,” members of the “Old Veterans Guard” claim the VA, local politicians, and the homeowner group went far beyond this by stealing the Honorable Duty of every man and woman who now wears, or has worn our Nation’s Uniform, including confiscating Veterans’ sacred property that is protected by an 1887 Act of Congress and the Land Grant Deed of 1888.

The End of a Disgraceful Era!

Acting on behalf of America’s 24 million Military Veterans who Honorably served on Active Duty for our Country, including the 1.5 million men and women who are presently on Active Duty, the Old Veterans Guard is officially demanding a federal investigation into plagiarism, desecration, defamation, slander, hate speech, defacing government property, graffiti, vandalism, littering, dereliction of duty, contempt of Congress, subverting a legal Deed, aiding and abetting, misappropriation of government property, embezzlement, fraud, conspiracy, duplicity, sabotage, subterfuge, malfeasance, willful neglect, deliberate inaction, discrimination, harassment, oppression, stalking, espionage, filing false police reports, malicious prosecution, obstruction of justice and treason, among other egregious and illicit conduct against America’s Military Veterans and their exclusive property. The Old Veterans Guard has already served notice with their 97 consecutive “Sunday Rallies” proclaiming that business as usual will not be tolerated on their watch. Consequently, the party is over and will be coming to an abrupt halt for those who have perpetrated some of the most disgraceful and heinous crimes imaginable against the defenders of America’s freedom and independence, and subsequently forcing homelessness onto more than 20,000 Veterans in Los Angeles. No more! DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY “Those Three Hallowed Words” Since 1898, The United States Military Academy has had the words “Duty, Honor, Country” proudly emblazoned on its coat of arms and boldly engraved on some of its oldest buildings. The motto has become such a distinct code for Military leadership and loyalty to our country that this time-honored creed is firmly embedded into the hearts and minds of all who actively serve in our Armed Forces, regardless of his or her respective branch of service, or rank of duty. In his famed “Duty, Honor, Country” speech given to the West Point Cadets in 1962, General Douglas MacArthur resolutely declared: “Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.” The merits of the General’s remarkable speech are so profound that it is considered to be among the greatest in American history. Even more remarkable, he delivered it without notes when he was 82 years old. (Speech link is at the end of this article)

Beware of the Unbelievers

General MacArthur’s speech was not only profound and eloquently delivered, but his tribute was so singular in purpose that even a small child could understand the overwhelming meaning and importance of “Duty, Honor, Country.” The General’s inspirational message notwithstanding, he also prophesied and forewarned: “The unbelievers will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. Every pedant, every demagogue, every cynic, every hypocrite, every troublemaker, and I am sorry to say, some others of an entirely different character, will try to downgrade them even to the extent of mockery and ridicule.”

An Unbelievable Prophecy

The General’s prophesy seemed far-fetched considering we are presumably a grateful society that highly respects the men and women who defend our nation’s freedom and independence under the timeless tradition of "Duty, Honor, Country." Nevertheless, his prophecy became reality in 2006 when it was validated at the so-called “Gateway Landmark Plaza” at the front entry of the Los Angeles National Veterans Home, also known as the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, the largest VA in the nation.

An Ugly Insult Against America’s Active Duty Military and Veterans

At the Northeast corner of Wilshire and San Vicente Boulevards, one of the busiest intersections in West Los Angeles, the words “Beauty, Honor, Country” were shamefully engraved in stone on Veterans property, and highlighted with bronzed letters. This appalling display that belittles the rigors of Military “Duty” and tries to pass it off as quaint “beauty” is outright blasphemy against the legendary creed entrusted to the highest calling of public service, Active Duty in our Armed Forces. While a small child could easily understand the reverent tribute to “those three hallowed words” in General MacArthur’s somber and patriotic speech, he or she would never be able to understand the mockery made of it, and even worse, believe it could be done so irreverently and inappropriately displayed on Veteran’s sacred property.

Woe Unto the Unbelievers

While the General forewarned that the “unbelievers” would someday say “Duty, Honor, Country” was just a slogan or flamboyant phrase, exactly who are these modern-day unbelievers that actually mocked and ridiculed this noble creed on the revered grounds of the National Veterans Home? Are these unbelievers considered to be pedants, demagogues, cynics, hypocrites, troublemakers, or those of an entirely different character? Is it possible that they could actually be “all the above?” Regardless of where the perpetrators truly stand in the General’s admonition of those who would eventually mock and ridicule America’s watchword, it was shamelessly construed and flagrantly executed by a wealthy homeowner group in neighboring Brentwood that operates under the ruse of “Veterans Park Conservancy,” which is not a Veterans organization by any stretch. Nevertheless, this unsavory homeowner group used their wealth and influence to manipulate top echelon VA bureaucrats and powerful politicians into allowing them to plagiarize “Duty, Honor, Country” and egregiously engrave “Beauty, Honor, Country” on the same hallowed ground where Veterans are trying to heal from the ugliness of war.

One of the Believers

While General MacArthur’s prophecy about nefarious unbelievers eventually came true in Los Angeles, his speech also made patriotic believers and remarkable achievers out of some of the young Cadets who were in attendance that memorable day on May 12, 1962, at West Point, New York. One such Cadet was a teenager named Eric (Ric) Shinseki, a 1965 graduate of West Point who credits General MacArthur’s “Duty, Honor, Country” speech as being a guiding force during his nearly four decades of distinguished Military service that ultimately led him to become a four-star General and the 34th Chief of Staff of our U.S. Army. imageEvery year an Award is given to Army officers -- Active, Guard and Reserve -- who exhibit extraordinary leadership abilities and embody the ideals embraced by General MacArthur. The MacArthur Leadership Award program is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Army and the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation, During a Pentagon ceremony on May 22, 2002, while serving as the Army’s Chief of Staff, General Shinseki presented the Awards and offered this advice to the newest recipients:
"Look after your soldiers -- their training, their tools, their spirit -- so that they are ready to do what is necessary when called upon. For it is in the courageous actions of our soldiers that continues the drumbeat of Duty, Honor, Country."
In a letter to General Shinseki dated February 1, 2007, from the Association of Graduates, signed by its Chairman, Theodore G. Stroup, (Lieutenant General USAR Ret.), who declared: “For the 44 thousand graduates of West Point, your selfless service and leadership in our Army is unheralded. You epitomize the enduring values of our alma mater – Duty, Honor, Country.” In 2009, General Shinseki was selected as a “Distinguished Graduate” of West Point’s United States Military Academy for being an exemplar of “Duty, Honor, Country.”

“Hawai’i's Favorite Army Son”

On July 20, 2006, a new gallery was opened at the U.S. Army Museum of Hawai’i to honor General Shinseki’s distinguished 38 years in the Military, and titled “The General Erick K. Shinseki Exhibit.” The General is a native of Hawai’i’s Island of Kauai.

"My Name Is ... SHINSEKI ... and I am a Soldier"

A short biography, entitled “My Name is Shinseki and I am a Soldier” and written by noted author Richard Halloran, is illustrated with many photos from the General's own collection. Testimonial:
"From our days at West Point, Ric Shinseki and I soldiered in the same Army for almost four decades. He has distinguished himself as a warrior in combat, as a commander who cares deeply about his soldiers, and as a leader steeped in the principles of Duty, Honor, Country." -- David A. Bramlett General, United States Army (ret) Commanding General, Forces Command 1996-1998
The book is available exclusively at the Hawai'i Army Museum Store and can be ordered on line. See link below

Soldiering on …

Although retired from the U.S. Army, General Shinseki is still soldiering on as the current Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Pride of “Duty, Honor, Country”

In a tribute to our Military men and women on Armed Forces Day in 1985, then- President Ronald Reagan proudly proclaimed: “This is a day we set aside to remember and thank those Americans who wear our country's uniform and who serve our nation in so many places around the globe. Many are far from home, and things you and I take for granted -- family, friends, all the good things that go with life in our hometowns -- they've given all these things up for the sake of a challenge and to answer a call. The challenge is the task of defending freedom, and the call they've answered is summarized in three words: ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’“ George Putnam, the late legendary TV / radio talk show host, decorated World War II Marine, and a true American patriot always ended his popular “Talk Back” program with his thundering and vociferous reminder to his listening audience: "Duty, Honor, Country.” The California American Legion honored George with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for being an exemplar of “Duty, Honor, Country.” On behalf of the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation in Norfolk, Virginia, he was also presented with a parchment copy of the General’s “Duty, Honor Country” speech and a “Certificate of Appreciation” for embodying the credo of “Duty, Honor, Country,” signed by William J. Davis, Colonel USMAC (Ret.), the Foundation’s Executive Director, General Colin Powell received West Point’s Sylvanus Thayer Award in 1998, and in his acceptance speech, declared:
  • “West Point is driven by a simple code known throughout the land: Duty, Honor, Country.
  • Duty -- the mission, the troops, selfless professional service, a career of service, a lifetime of service.
  • Honor - - your word is your bond. Truth, honesty and character are your watchwords never to be forgotten.
  • Country - - your oath to the country rests on our constitution, which rests on the will of the American people.“
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Chairman of the Appropriations Defense Committee and a World War II Army Veteran from Hawai’i, was awarded West Point’s 2001 Sylvanus Thayer Award for “Duty, Honor, Country.” General Shinseki, also from Hawai’i, was present at the ceremony, and afterward proffered this: “Senator Inouye is not a West Point graduate but Duty, Honor, Country has been a part of his life as a soldier and throughout 43 years of public service in Congress. We were two great soldiers. We each took a different path, but followed the values of Duty, Honor, Country."

Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Duty with Honor is such a paramount responsibility in protecting our Country, that the Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award given to an American Military member for bravery “above and beyond the call of duty” in action against an enemy of the United States. Unfortunately, there are Military misfits who are charged with and convicted of “dereliction of duty,” and dishonorably discharged. General George Patton, Jr., a West Point graduate and celebrated World War II Commander, understood the significance of duty to our country by summing it up succinctly: "Duty is but discipline carried to its highest degree." At his acceptance speech for West Point’s “Duty, Honor, Country” Thayer Award, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, who is also a recipient of the Medal of Honor, proclaimed:
“For it was duty that made young Americans withstand the bitter winter cold, without shoes and without food, during the dark days of Valley Forge. These men left their farms, their families, and their fortunes to fight for a country that was not in existence at that time, and they carried out their duties with courageous honor.”

“Duty” is Paramount

The overwhelming importance of “Duty” is so significant and paramount in the defense of our nation’s freedom and independence, that it is the very first word declared in America’s unprecedented Military code of “Duty, Honor, Country.” So, just how did changing “Duty” to “beauty” actually come about, why, and by whom?

Who’s Behind “Beauty Gate?”

In his speech, General MacArthur asserted: “The code which those words perpetuate embraces the highest moral laws and will stand the test of any ethics or philosophies ever promulgated for the uplift of mankind. Its requirements are for the things that are right, and its restraints are from the things that are wrong.” Whatever the feeble and fabricated excuses are that have been made to justify this perverse slander against the Military code by a rogue homeowner group, they were disgracefully wrong, and their unbecoming conduct will forever remain an unforgiveable embarrassment!

A Homeowner Group in Veterans Organization Clothing

Sue Young, who is not a Veteran, is the founder and executive director of Veterans Park Conservancy, which is not a Veterans organization … just another disgraceful form of Stolen Valor. In addition, Ms. Young and her renegade homeowner group have coveted Veterans land for nearly a quarter-century with her unilateral, hell-bent plan to convert it from a century-old peaceful sanctuary for Veterans to heal from war into “the first community park in West Los Angeles in nearly 50 years,” and thereby creating her own fiefdom with a public park and entertainment center in what she labels “Central Park West.” This homeowner group, in full cooperation and approval with VA bureaucrats and local politicians, designed the so-called Gateway Landmark Plaza and then hoodwinked the VA into donating $1 million of Veterans seriously needed healthcare money to build their pretentious wrought iron fence to “beautify” the entryway into Brentwood. Then the uncharitable group plagiarized the West Point creed because they said it was their “mission to beautify Veterans property,” while being oh so careful not to mention that it was for their own benefit, or that it would be at the expense of 20,000 homeless Veterans in Los Angeles. On March 28, 2006, Ms. Young and her cronies dedicated the Landmark Plaza, the wrought iron fence, and the slanderous “Beauty, Honor, Country” debacle in “honor of our veterans.” The sanctimonious group rubbed salt into this ugly wound by making it an exclusive occasion for the Westside mucky-muck, declaring attendance to be “by invitation only,” because of “security concerns.” Veterans Service Organizations at large and everyday Veterans were not invited to this so-called dedication ceremony, even though it was held on Veterans property. In fact, the press release to the media declared: “Note to editors: Because of security considerations, this is an invitation-only event. Press I.D. is required. “ What “security considerations” could possibly be involved when it comes to Veterans being invited onto their own property? After all, it’s the Veterans who have courageously secured the safety of our nation, so why would they be considered a threat to the security of their very own property and at an event that is purportedly being dedicated in their “honor?” And who anointed the “press” to be held in higher regard than America’s Veterans, and even more trusted? Have the leaders of this so-called “Veterans” organization conveniently forgotten that if it were not for America’s Veterans, there would be no “Freedom of the Press,” or any of our other taken-for-granted freedoms? This is another example of blatant Stolen Valor.

Insidious Forces Working From Within

Because the powerful and wealthy homeowner group restricted everyday Veterans from being invited to their clandestine scheme of subverting the Deed of 1888 and desecrating America’s watchword, perhaps another of General MacArthur’s wise observations, proffered separate from his Speech, is applicable in sizing up this self-serving group: "I am concerned for the security of our great nation, not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within."

It’s Congressman Waxman’s “Duty”

Congressional Representative Henry Waxman, the elected public servant for the 30th Congressional District and a member of Congress for 36 years, is the entrusted steward whose District includes the Los Angeles National Veterans Home. It is the Congressman’s fiduciary responsibility to oversee and protect the largest VA in the nation and to make sure that the Congressional Act of 1887 and the Grant Deed of 1888 are fully honored at all times, which is: “To be permanently maintained as a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.” In brief, fiduciary responsibility is a “Duty,” and it means, among other things, that the entrusted steward must always act in the sole and best interest of the beneficiaries, and in this case, America’s Military Veterans and their sacred land at the National Veterans Home. imageLeft to Right: Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor of the Third District, Sue Young, executive director of Veterans Park Conservancy (a neighboring homeowner group), Henry Waxman, U.S. Congressman of the 30th District, and Flora Gil Krisiloff, Westside Senior District Deputy to Yaroslavsky, and a vice president and board member of Veterans Park Conservancy.

The Unbelievers

Congressman Henry Waxman smilingly approves of the rendering that shows the pretentious wrought iron fence to beautify the entryway into Brentwood, which the VA was hoodwinked into donating $1 million of Veterans healthcare money so that the wealthy homeowner group could complete their convenient project.  The concrete base of the fence on the lower right side of this rendering actually depicts the disparaging slur of "Beauty, Honor, Country.”

The Hidden Hand

As the entrusted steward overseeing the Veterans Home, why did Congressman Waxman endorse such a disgraceful project that insults America’s Active Duty Military and our nation’s 25 million Veterans? Congressman Waxman and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein are both listed as “Government Supporters” of the non-Veteran organization that originated and propagated the slur. Why would these two high-ranking members of Congress endorse a group that stooped so low to denigrate “Duty, Honor, Country,” particularly when the men and women who uphold this creed are currently engaged in two wars? English Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), responsibly cautioned: “Governments do not govern, but merely control the machinery of government, being themselves controlled by the hidden hand."

Politically Incorrect

Another major question amongst Veterans is why hasn’t Congressman Waxman endorsed the Resolution to “Protect a National Sacred Trust” authored by the Veterans Caucus of the California Democratic Party and adopted by the Board of Directors of the California Democratic Party … his own political Party?
“THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party joins the American Legion, Veterans United For Truth Inc., the National Veterans Coalition, the Gathering of Eagles, We the Veterans, the American GI Forum, Military Spouses For Change, and Veterans For Common Sense, among others, along with hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families, to support an immediate halt to any giveaway of any of the Los Angeles National Veterans Home property, either to a non-veterans organization or for any non-veteran-related purpose.”
Why would one of the most senior and powerful members of Congress not support a Resolution by his own Democratic Party that provides for the protection of the Veterans property that he is entrusted to safeguard? It seems that Congressman Waxman should have actually been the one to initiate and author this Resolution on behalf of America’s Veterans, instead of senior Veterans Bob Handy and Sanford Cook, the respectful Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Veterans Caucus? Nonetheless, fellow Veterans are waiting for the Congressman’s endorsement of this noble Resolution, along with Senator Feinstein’s support as well. imageBob Handy, Left, Chairman of the Veterans Caucus of the California Democratic Party, holds a summary of the Resolution he co-authored that was adopted by the Party’s Board of Directors.

A Broad Unification Opposing the Land Giveaway

Following is a partial list of Veteran and Political organizations that are unified in opposing the public park and any other giveaway or misuse of Veterans property at the National Veterans Home. Veteran Organizations opposing the VA's misuse and abuse of Veterans property:
  1. American Legion, California Department
  2. Vietnam Veterans of America, National
  3. American G I Forum of California
  4. Veterans Caucus of the California Democratic Party
  5. National Veterans Coalition
  6. Veterans United For Truth, Inc.
  7. Los Angeles County Veterans Advisory Commission
  8. 11th Airborne Association
  9. Gathering of Eagles
  10. Vietnam Veterans Against the War
  11. Emerald Coast Patriots, Florida
  12. Veterans-For-Change
  13. Military Spouses For Change
  14. Veterans For Common Sense
  15. Veterans for Peace
  16. We the Veterans
  17. The Veterans Revolution
  18. Veterans Today News Network Organization
Political Organizations opposing the VA's misuse and abuse of Veterans property:
  1. Board of Directors, California Democratic Party
  2. North Carolina Democratic Party Veterans Caucus
  3. Los Angeles Democratic Central Committee
  4. Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee
  5. Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles
  6. San Fernando Valley Republican Club
  7. Westside Republicans (Los Angeles)
imageLeft to Right: Mark Reed, candidate for the 27th Congressional District; Karen Bonadio, vice chairman of the Westside Republicans; Rob Pederson, chairman; and Ari David, candidate for the 30th Congressional District,

The Believers!

Westside Republicans support the Resolution of the Veterans Caucus of the California Democratic Party, but also have their own Resolution opposing the land confiscation at the heralded Veterans Home in the 30th Congressional District. Members of the political group and Congressional candidates attended one of the Sunday Rallies to “Save Our Veterans Land.”

No Confiscation without Representation

Over the years, Veterans’ land has been pillaged, plundered, confiscated, and what seems to be, auctioned off to the highest political campaign donor with the lowest-bid offer. Unfortunately, this land and the accompanying buildings always end up under the control of a non-profit, non-Veteran organization, to “honor our veterans.” Veterans are never officially invited to the bidding and negotiating meetings regarding their property. Specifically, Veterans land must never be used for a profitable business venture, self-dealing or any political opportunism. More specifically, honoring the Congressional Act of 1887 and the Deed of 1888 is the moral obligation and full responsibility of “We the People.” The confiscation and redistribution of Veterans’ land through manipulation and subterfuge must cease and desist, posthaste. In a positive outlook, California Congressional candidates Ari David, 30th District, and Mark Reed, 27th District, are both seriously opposed to the illicit confiscation of Veterans land at the VA facilities within their respective Districts. Both candidates have promised that upon their being elected into Office, the first pieces of Legislation on their agenda will be to fully rescind all land and building leases on Veterans property at the Los Angeles and Sepulveda VA’s that are not for the sole, specific, direct, and unequivocal benefit of America's Military Veterans. It’s time that Veterans finally have some honest, upfront representation in the use of their property instead of the political pandering and backroom wheeling-and-dealing at the highest levels of government.

Dirt Cheap!

imageOver the years, Ralph Tillman, the director of Asset Management for the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, has facilitated numerous sweetheart deals of Veterans sacred property for the benefit of “non-profit,” non-Veteran organizations that include giving away a billion-dollar parcel, rent free, and leasing another for a $1 a year for 75 years. How can our government can give Wall Street nearly a trillion dollars overnight and the best Mr. Tillman can do for Veterans is generate $75 in 75 years for their land? A drunken lunatic with absolutely no business sense could do far better than this. During a recent meeting at the Los Angeles Veterans Advisory Commission, Mr. Tillman was asked why the VA has entered into leasing arrangements that generate so little return for Veterans, and Mr. Tillman responded: “In the VA’s opinion, this is the highest and best use of the land.” In trying to comprehend the “VA’s opinion,” one has to seriously wonder what the lowest and worst use of this land could possibly be, and at what price.

Fun and Games … Pay to Play!

While Veterans were trying to heal from war, Mr. Tillman made a mockery of their service by leasing their hallowed ground to the Hollywood entertainment industry for a “Celebrity Carnival Fundraiser,” with the admission being $1,000+ per person, and the proceeds not going to Veterans. image A Public Playground Where Veterans Are Trying to Heal From War “Highest and Best Use of Veterans’ Land”

Dereliction of Duty

Ralph Tillman spends an enormous amount of time accommodating the wealthy non-Veterans with specially-privileged land deals, for carnivals, and whatnot, while totally neglecting his primary “duty” as director and manager of Veterans’ assets, which encompasses protecting and managing all aspects of property at the largest VA in the nation, including such things as buildings, roads, sidewalks, bus benches, and other tangible assets supposedly for the benefit of Veterans. imageThe VA Has $1,000,000 for a Neighborhood Beautification Fence, but No Money for a Veterans’ Bus Bench. Talk about “Stolen Valor!” The above photo shows a dilapidated bus bench with slats missing and bolts protruding, making it a hazard and very dangerous for any Veteran, let alone a Disabled Veteran. Even worse, this bus bench is on Eisenhower Avenue at the Los Angeles VA, and the Avenue is obviously named in honor of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, a West Point graduate, General of the Army and a two-term U.S. President. One would think that everything about this Avenue would be presented in dignified honor and respect befitting such a distinguished Military hero and elected public servant. Well, it would be … anywhere else … but this is under Mr. Tillman’s watch. Why, even Third-World dictators offer their citizenry much better bus benches than Mr. Tillman offers America’s Veterans. Consequently, when it comes to providing the very best for the defenders of our Nation’s freedom and independence, Mr. Tillman has no concern or respect whatsoever. His only interest is in kowtowing to the “wants” of the rich and infamous while neglecting the “needs” of Veterans. imageThis broken, rotting and dilapidated bus bench is on Dewey Street at the Los Angeles VA, named after famed U.S. Navy Admiral, George Dewey. The two disgraceful bus benches that were an insult to America’s Military Veterans and to two of our most prominent Military leaders were eventually replaced after much complaining and eventually contacting the Washington D.C. Office of the Veterans Affairs, under then-Secretary James Nicholson. imageGeorge Dewey, Admiral of the Navy from 1899 until his death in 1917, the only officer of the United States Navy who was ever so commissioned.

It’s Enough to Make Grown Men Weep

The disgraceful bus benches are not isolated cases. Hardly, as anywhere that you travel on these revered grounds you will find a complete collapse of responsibility and respect to America’s Military Veterans. Quite simply, if their land isn’t being given away rent free or leased away for $1 a year, then their outdoor furniture is so disgraceful and hazardous that it’s enough make grown men weep. This is Stolen Valor in magnitude! imageTwo Commanders of the Military Order of Purple Heart, Luis Rivera (left, Chapter 83) and Walter Martin (right, Chapter 1898) inspect a broken bench that is supposed to be for the benefit of Veterans. There are several benches on this brick patio area and they are all broken, dilapidated, and dangerous, including the brick itself. imageSit Down, the VA Wants to Thank You for Your Honorable Duty to Our Country Purple Heart Commanders Martin (left) and Rivera (right) inspect another broken and dangerous bench for Veterans. Mr. Tillman has been seriously neglectful and failed miserably in every aspect of his duty as manager of Veterans assets. Did I mention the VA donated $1,000,000 of Veterans’ healthcare money for a pretentious wrought iron fence to beautify the entryway into neighboring Brentwood? imageDisabled Volleyball Net for Disabled Veterans Veterans attached a standard for this torn and tattered volleyball net to a table and it still ended up as a deplorable means for recreation at the Veterans Home. While disabled Veterans have to settle for a disabled volleyball net as their only source for recreation, Ralph Tillman negotiated another privileged, non-Veteran “sharing agreement” with one of the wealthiest private schools in the nation to build a multi-million dollar athletic field on 21 acres of Veterans’ land, which is off-limits to Veterans, i.e., they cannot “share” it. By the way, the sweetheart deal is for $1,500 per acre per month, a pittance of its true value. In fact, dirt farmers and share croppers would pay far more for this extremely valuable and fertile land. As Mr. Tillman likes to say: “In the VA’s opinion, this is the highest and best use of the land.” By the way, did I mention there are 20,000 homeless Veterans in Los Angeles? image Disabled Veterans Keep Out! For Wealthy Brentwood Kids Only.

Incompetence Is Not Cheap

How long could Mr. Tillman last in the private sector? Would you hire someone like him to look after you assets? Actually you are, because your tax dollars are being paid to him to give away Veterans land. What if our Active Duty Military were under a neglectful commander such as Mr. Tillman? How can he possibly sign his name to the backside of a government check? Even worse, taxpayers will be paying a lifetime pension to this incompetent man. An even more important question is why is he still working for our government and more specifically, as manager of Veterans’ assets? With unemployment in the Los Angeles nearing 15%, certainly the VA can hire several competent individuals who respect America’s Military Veterans for the same amount of money that Mr. Tillman alone consumes at the public trough, which is more than $100,000 annually. Did I mention Mr. Tillman negotiated a 30-year, $0 return on a billion-dollar ($1,000,000,000) parcel of Veterans land, and $75 for 75 years on another mega-million dollar parcel?

Facilitator to Traitor

Ralph Tillman, himself a proclaimed Veteran, has facilitated a series of long-term, low-rent, and so-called “sharing agreements” for Veterans property to non-Veteran organizations who do not share these facilities with Veterans. Here’s a partial list of predatory land-use agreements that Mr. Tillman has facilitated at the expense of his fellow Veterans: Brentwood School, one of the wealthiest private schools in the nation has a long-term sharing agreement for 21 acres of Veterans land for their athletic field, but it is not shared with Veterans; Richmark Entertainment Group, a Hollywood entertainment company has a long-term sweet-heart deal for the two Veterans’ theaters for high-priced plays, operas, symphonies and movie premieres for the neighboring elite; Breitburn Oil Company has a long-term lease for a drilling site on Veterans’ land with the royalties going to the Department of Interior, Sodexho Marriott leases a building to use for laundry cleaning services for their hotels; The City of Los Angeles has a long-term lease for $1 a year for Little League baseball diamonds and a public dog park; UCLA has a sharing agreement for an NCAA baseball diamond that is not shared with Veterans or the American Legion Baseball program; The Community Soccer Leagues have a special agreement for MacArthur Field, but Veterans cannot use it. The list goes on, and In spite of the numerous Resolutions of Veterans and Political organizations calling for an immediate halt to the land giveaway, Mr. Tillman has completely ignored the will of the people and his fellow Veterans. Very recently, he leased away 30+ acres of the ”Vets Garden” to a non-profit botanical garden organization, even though Veterans wanted to create and develop individual “plot gardens” to grow their own fresh vegetables.

“Missing Money”

Currently, Mr. Tillman is in the process of cutting a sweet-heart deal with another so-called non-profit organization for the 15-acre, nine-hole Veterans Golf Course that will be open to the general public. Over the past few years, an estimated $200,000 has been reported “missing” and unaccounted for from the Veterans Golf Course. While the missing money is purportedly still under investigation, it’s just another case of mismanagement by the VA’s department of Asset Management, of which Mr. Tillman is the Director.

PGA’s Privileged Parking

Beginning February 2nd through the 7th, and like he’s done for over a decade, Ralph Tillman will accommodate another privileged deal with the Public Golf Association (PGA) for their annual professional golf tournament at the exclusive Riviera Country Club in the wealthy enclave of Pacific Palisades. The celebrity-studded tournament is title-sponsored by Northern Trust Bank. imageAttendees to the PGA Tournament will park their cars on the grass of the “Veterans Grand Lawn” where Veterans from the Civil War once walked, and be shuttled back and forth to the tournament. This is another disgraceful abuse of Veterans hallowed ground for the benefit of the noon-Veteran organizations, and at the tragic expense of Veterans, more specifically homeless Veterans.

A Bureaucrat that Only the Government Could Love

The list of land giveaway at the National Veterans Home continues to go on and on, and so does the homeless Veteran problem, which has grown to 20,000 without shelter in Los Angeles. Mr. Tillman, the West LA VA bureaucrat-in-chief, is the person who facilitated and signed the privileged agreement for 16 acres of Veterans land that was given away rent free for a public park. The 16-acre parcel is considered to be one of the most valuable in Los Angeles and valued at more than a billion dollars, yet not one penny is generated for America’s Veterans, who by the way, are the sole beneficiaries of this exclusively deeded land. It should come as no surprise that it was also Mr. Tillman who facilitated the desecration of West Point's revered creed and allowed the affluent homeowner group to transmogrify it to "Beauty, Honor, Country," and then irreverently engrave it in stone on Veterans property. As the director and manager of assets for this strategic VA facility, and with all his giveaway of Veterans land for non-Veteran use, it doesn’t surprise any Veteran that Mr. Tillman has no scruples when it comes to besmirching West Point’s creed and the Active Duty of our Military and the service of America’s Veterans.

Does the Name Benedict Arnold Ring a Bell?

Have we forgotten the full history of West Point? Lest we’ve forgotten, in 1780, when General Benedict Arnold was Commander of the West Point fortification, he conspired with British General Henry Clinton to surrender this revered and strategic Military base for 20,000 British pounds, which would be the equivalent of $3 million in today’s U.S. dollars. Fortunately, vigilant American Military soldiers stopped Major John Andre, a British courier, and found a coded message in his boot from America’s General Arnold to the British’s General Clinton. Had Benedict Arnold succeeded in his traitorous act, it is quite possible there would be no America as we know it today. There's a disgraceful parallel between Benedict Arnold's attempt to surrender West Point to the British, and Ralph Tillman successfully surrendering our Veterans land to non-Veteran organizations. Ironically, not since Benedict Arnold tried to surrender West Point to the enemy 230 years ago, has there been such a treasonous act for such hallowed grounds, and against the very men and women who have defended America’s unparalleled way of life. When Mr. Tillman and the powerful politicians actually facilitated the shameful denigration of the West Point creed by allowing it to be plagiarized and disparaged on Veterans property, it far exceeded the shame of Benedict Arnold’s failed attempt in his traitorous dealings. The difference between Benedict Arnold and Ralph Tillman is that Mr. Tillman has succeeded in surrendering land at the National Veterans Home and General Arnold failed in surrendering land at West Point. But the real difference between Ralph Tillman and Benedict Arnold is that Mr. Tillman tragically makes Benedict Arnold look like an American patriot.


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Robert L. Rosebrock -- Bio and Archives Robert Rosebrock is a U.S. Army Veteran, Vietnam-era and Director of the Old Veterans Guard. He can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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