VETERANS PROPOSE GRAND PLAN

Veterans Propose Grand Plan

An Appeal for an "Act of Community"

By Guest Editorial by Robert Rosebrock | January 16, 2011

A conceptual design for Resident Towers would be similar to the above Turnberry Place in Las Vegas, for a proposed 21st Century Los Angeles National Veterans Home.

For several years, there’s been speculation about the forthcoming “Master Plan” at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System on federal property, adjacent to the community of Brentwood.

What some people fail to understand and accept is that there’s been a Master Plan in effect for nearly 123 years. It’s called the Deed of 1888 and it specifically declares that the benevolent land gift from Senator John P. Jones and Arcadia Bandini de Baker to the U.S. Government is “to be permanently maintained as a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.” In 1887, an Act of Congress pre-mandated the clause of perpetuity that appears no less than six times in the Deed.

But instead of honoring the Deed and permanently maintaining the Home as a quiet sanctuary for disabled Veterans to heal from the ravages of war, this sacred land has been turned into a private school playground, a public recreation park, an off-leash dog park, a kids soccer field, a public entertainment center, a public golf course, public botanic gardens, celebrity carnivals, marathons, and bike races, used-car and bus storage lots, public parking lots, a major hotel laundry facility, and other sullying misappropriation of this treasured gift.

Incredulously, this has all been done at the painful expense of disabled and disadvantaged Veterans who require proper shelter and care. The net result is that in spite of having the largest VA Home in the nation, Los Angeles has become the homeless Veteran capital of the nation because Veterans have been exiled from their very own Home.

This national disgrace is a black-eye for Brentwood and West Los Angeles. Nonetheless, Veterans are respectfully appealing for neighboring residents to unify through an “Act of Community” to support their “Grand Plan” that will replace scores of 80-year old obsolete and dysfunctional buildings (many that are empty) with a fully modern 21st Century “Grand Veterans Home” to include new resident towers, dining halls, healthcare and rehabilitation facilities, administrative services, a Veterans College, Veterans Village, lush and tranquil therapy gardens, and other amenities for fellow Veterans to help each other battle their stressful, long-term war injuries.

As we know, our government has spent hundreds-of-billions-of-dollars bailing out mismanaged banks, insurance companies and auto manufacturers. Surely there’s a drop or two left in the ole stimulus bucket to restore and rebuild our mismanaged National Veterans Home.

Please support this responsible and noble cause.

Comments to date: 14. Page 1 of 1. Average Rating:

Sharon Sekhon Los Angeles	8:56pm on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
In support of your work and the plan to help our homeless veterans have some dignity in life here.
Melissa Green Greenwood, IN	8:48am on Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
This is an amazing opportunity for Brentwood & LA to be a national example of how to treat our countries veterans. These heroes deserve to be treated with love and appreciation for the sacrifices they made for ALL of US. Good plan!
lewis jones newport beach, ca	7:55am on Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
What an opportunity for the citizens to show their appreciation and support for veterans that have given so much of themselves. Let's give them the hand-up they need to return to us and their families by providing this beautiful facility where they can rehabilitate. Our forefathers were wise to provide this much needed home. Let's don't let them down.
Al Han Palos Verdes, CA	11:40am on Monday, January 24th, 2011
Are you kidding me? Every man & woman, American who served, from every corner of our country, from every ethnic & racial background, Christian, or Jew, has Served our nation Honorably is a fine Patriot. Shame on all those who neglect or dishonor, these fine Men & Women who deserve our admiration, loyalty, and support.
Tom Tucker Pittsburg CA	1:46pm on Thursday, January 20th, 2011
Full support for those who have suported US.
Ralph Cingo Georgetown, TX	7:36am on Thursday, January 20th, 2011
The need is great It is now our responsibility to care for those who have given so much to provide everyone of us in this country a safe and secure place in which to live. Many have given their lives and many more are living in hell,in the streets and back alleys throughout the most prosperous country in the world. This is an excellant project with which we can show our thanks for their sacrifices so we can live in this country. Just imagine what our lives would be like today if Germany and Japan would have won WW2 or our containment of communism expansion failed. God Bless America and those who have sacrified so much so we can live as we do today. Let us provide for those who are still sacrificing on the streets of America today.
Michael Owen Indianapolis In	7:19am on Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
I am definitely for this project. We seem to find money for such "entitlements" as social security and medicare. Veterans are just as important, if not more important. Without men and women serving and protecting us, there would be no United States of America. This project should move forward.
Conrad Gomez Long Beach VVA #756	4:17pm on Monday, January 17th, 2011
We will not let our fellow veterans down it is our responsiblity to take care of them as they signed a check a long time ago willing to give their "Life for Our Great Country", now in their time of need we have to step up and do them right!!!
Robert Rosebrock Brentwood, CA	7:55am on Monday, January 17th, 2011
Thanks Peter, Actually the new high-rise towers will not only provide modern resident facilities, but replacing the existing, obsolete, sprawling low-rise buildings that consume so much land space will free-up acres upon acres of vast fertile terrain to augment a picturesque and tranquil topography. We will be soon revealing a plan for the Veterans "Grand Gardens" that will provide therapy for those who require special healing and will be open to the public over the weekend. It is something we can all be proud of. There's perhaps no sight more offensive than seeing a homeless Veteran in Los Angeles when they already have a legally deeded "Home."
Peter Schuck Encino, CA	7:14am on Monday, January 17th, 2011
That the property as deeded should be used for the purpose intended goes without saying. That said, I kind of like driving by the rather picturesque older structures there. Maybe one or two of the ones in better shape can be included in the new plan; otherwise, just more high-rises of perhaps questionable architectural merit will join the others of the general area.
Robert Rosebrock Brentwood, CA	2:24am on Monday, January 17th, 2011
Thanks to all who support this plan. Tiffny, Great to get support from you and Texas. Could you all please send an e-mail to General Erick K. Shinseki, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Also to Congressman Henry Waxman, who is the elected public servant to oversee the Veterans Home in his 30th District. Unfortunately, I cannot post their e-mail addresses as this will not accept links. I will ask Westside Today to add their respective e-mail addresses. Please ask that Secretary Shinseki and Cong. Waxman to support this Grand Plan and to honor the Deed of 1888 and "Bring Our Homeless Veterans HOME." Thanks, RLR
Tiffany Madison Dallas, Texax	7:27pm on Sunday, January 16th, 2011
Author - please amend with details regarding the best course of action for those eager to support. Are there congressional leaders that can be contacted? Let's not just keep talking, let's do! How can support be given? Thank you!
Andy Jensen Tarzana, CA	7:21pm on Sunday, January 16th, 2011
Well said! There will always be room for shopping and parking and "amenities". Veterans deserve so much more! What can we do to move this forward?
Bruce Kane Orange County, CA	5:39pm on Sunday, January 16th, 2011
IN support of the Veteran's Grand Plan

Contribute

Towns

Features