Barstow Veterans Home

Re “Old Soldiers Living in a Kind of Exile,” July 27.

The Veterans Home of California-Barstow is neither an “old soldiers home” with “old soldiers” living there, nor is it a “compound.” It is a state-of-the art continuing care retirement facility and offers residents a quiet, tranquil atmosphere and the amenities of a small community with a wide variety of services available to senior citizens. There are 262 men and women, ranging in age from 46 to 101, who have worn the uniform of our country and served during a time of hostility, residing here by choice. To refer to them as old soldiers is to demean them and what they stand for. This is not just for retirees but any veteran who meets the admission criteria. [Scott] Harris’ informed conclusion was based on the biased opinion of [Julian] Schwartz and that of only two of the 264 veterans residing here.

The three nursing units are filled but, yes, the domiciliaries have 136 beds still empty. Why? Let me ask you this. Schwartz is 70 years old, a California resident and a wartime veteran. Why isn’t he living at the Veterans Home? Many in his situation respond by saying that they are “not ready yet.”

Have either Harris or Schwartz experienced the breathtaking desert sunrises or sunsets or marveled at the panoramic view of the valley below, undistorted by smog? Have they had the opportunity to experience the quiet and serene environment free from noise pollution? I’m certain they haven’t. Many of our residents walk the property at night, secure in the knowledge that they are safe from harm. Can you do that in Los Angeles?

At the time location decisions were being made, vacant land [at] West Los Angeles VA Medical Center was not available. In addition to [state] Sen. [Dan] Rogers, as mentioned in your article, Assemblyman Dick Floyd from the Los Angeles area also served on the commission that chose the site at Barstow.

This isn’t really about whether this was good for Barstow or the 1 million California veterans living within a 100-mile radius of our home. It isn’t even about why 136 beds are still empty. It’s about why West Los Angeles should have been chosen as one of the sites for a veterans home and wasn’t. West Los Angeles is referred to [a number of times] in Harris’ article. When Harris wants to know about our home in Barstow, [he should] please come for a visit.

THOMAS R. LANGLEY

Administrator, Veterans Home

of California-Barstow