To the editor: What a victory for the good guys! U.S. District Judge David O. Carter has ruled that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must fulfill its legal obligation to use its West Los Angeles campus to serve veterans. (“VA Must Build More Housing on West LA Campus, and UCLA and Brentwood School Leases Illegal, Judge Rules,” Sept. 6)
As a child growing up on the West Side of Los Angeles in the 1950s, I vividly remember my family driving by the campus and seeing all the frail veterans sitting outside. We understood that this was home to veterans who had nowhere else to live. It was not meant to be a site for wealthy academic facilities to operate athletic facilities, contrary to how the Department of Veterans Affairs has allowed UCLA and a private K-12 school to use a portion of the site through lease agreements.
Now, with Carter's decision, the land can be returned to the purpose for which it was donated.
Erica Hahn, Monrovia
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To the editor: In 1965, UCLA completed construction on Pauley Pavilion, the new home of its basketball program. It was built right on top of where the baseball field used to be. The home of the UCLA baseball team became the field on the VA property because administrators claimed there was no room on campus.
Unless UCLA miraculously discovers a place to play baseball on campus, why can't the three forces involved in this dispute (the VA, UCLA, and the judge) agree to save Jackie Robinson Stadium and build enough housing for veterans?
This would create a healthy attraction for veterans to stroll through and be entertained. I think UCLA would be happy to admit veterans to games free of charge; we have done so in the past. Other events besides UCLA games could also be scheduled for veterans at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
As for Brentwood School, I cannot argue for or against due to lack of knowledge, but I think it should be heard as well.
Gary Adams, Tehachapi, California.
The writer was head baseball coach at UCLA since 1975. to 2004.
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To the editor: Finally, and in a resounding manner, a federal judge called the VA what it is: a disgrace, and added bribery and corruption to his description of the federal agency's behavior.
This scandal has been brewing for years, and it has been made possible, as Judge Carter said, by UCLA. How can outside interests try to profit from the exploitation of veterans? Is there no code of ethics at Brentwood High School, UCLA and other institutions? Have veterans been sleeping in squalid conditions for years in order to play baseball?
Thank you Judge Carter (a UCLA alumnus) for ending this despicable farce at the VA.
Patrick Graham, Hermosa Beach
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To the editor: Judge Carter may need to be reminded about UCLA Health and its partnership with the VA campus in West LA. For years, UCLA physicians and specialists have provided medical care to veterans.
If that's not enough, maybe UCLA can pay more money for the use of Jackie Robinson Stadium, and maybe veterans can use it too. It would be extremely expensive to tear down the stadium, not to mention the importance of Jackie Robinson and his legacy.
Margaret Phelps, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Carter is a hero. We need more people with his courage in public service.
Maybe the needy veterans (i.e. those we handed a rifle to and sent off to war) will now receive all the benefits they are entitled to. God knows they earned the right to that help.
Warren Cereghino, Pacific Palisades
