By Stewart Resmer Co-event manager of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Tour
Several days ago you printed a 16 paragraph letter signed by a “bewildered veteran” (SMDP, June 7, page 4). In the letter, the writer ranged far and wide regarding City Councilman Shriver’s’ recent proposal to address the homeless problem in Santa Monica, in which Shriver envisions a taskmaster to resolve the many faceted issues of homelessness and to see to it that the designated Santa Monica representative interface with the regional solution.
While the “bewildered vet” quoted the names, groups, data, and history regarding the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center and the status of veterans included in the homeless population, he argues against Shriver’s’ proposition and, the “bewildered vet” even included himself as being homeless.
This strikes me as odd, first because the writer is clearly not bewildered, his thoughts were well researched outlined and supported, and second, if he were homeless why then does he not support optimum results for all veterans and their families from the VA?
The answer evades me, except to say that for a long time now there have been forces at play on the westside that oppose any utilization of surplus VA property already built on the West LA VA site. I can’t help but suspect the writer is actually a farce for those forces in the community who covet the VA property for self serving reasons.
Whether or not Shriver is right or wrong, or the other council members will support this redoubled effort to serve “those who have borne the weight of battle” and all the other homeless this city has worked very hard to help, remains to be seen. But the VA in its charter has a mandate dating back to President Lincoln to see to it that our veterans are not left destitute.
Nothing is more important during time of war when many are already returning form yet another conflict, than we as a people honor that social contract that the Great Emancipator vowed.
I call upon those in our city who are of goodwill, to support Shriver and encourage the utilization of any and all surplus West LA VA facilities, and not be fooled by those who would attempt to deny the benefits rightly due our returning service members and their families. This was the intent of the Veterans Administration mandate when it was established.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 16, 2005. Read the original PDF.