By Judi McLeod ——Bio and Archives--February 24, 2017
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Like an indelible vision of long-gone soldiers that live forever in the memories of their loved ones, Robert Rosebrock has appeared for more than 500 consecutive Sundays and every Memorial Day since March 9, 2008 outside the gates of the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (GLAVA) park calling public attention to America’s abandoned homeless veterans.
It’s a tragic pictorial of homeless and hungry war veterans coming to peer longingly through the gates at what is rightfully theirs through a wrought iron fence.
Through thick and thin, Rosebrock, the 74-year-old, Vietnam era U.S. Army veteran and director of the Veterans Revolution and the old Veterans Guard, has remained as faithful to his chosen cause as Greyfriars Bobby was in guarding his owner’s grave.
The insults and intimidation of the authorities who maintain GLAVA control are slings and arrows that can never keep Rosebrock away, because his presence there is his promise to veterans still among us and long since gone.
Like the insults, rain and inclement weather matter not to Robert Rosebrock because the plight of hungry and homeless war veterans rains every day in his heart.
His message has remained the same during eight long years of the Barack Obama administration: “Save Our Veterans Land,” “Bring Our Homeless Veterans HOME.”
All but ignored by a mainstream media not overly bothered by homeless veterans, Rosebrock, and other elderly veterans, like Dave Culmer, an 84-year old, 70% disabled Korean / Vietnam War Marine Veteran return to the park each Sunday and Memorial Day with undying hope that their rallies will someday bring an end to veteran homelessness in Los Angeles.
There are war-injured, impoverished, homeless and hungry U.S. military veterans, who pledged their lives to defend the American Flag, out on the streets in other cities across America, but Los Angeles is the one Rosebrock, Culmer and Company happen to call home.
As things now stand anybody but war vets—who are the rightful owners of the property on which it sits—can call the GLAVA park home.
Deeded to the federal government in 1888 for the specific purpose of caring for disabled veterans, the property includes not only the veterans’ home, but also entirely unrelated uses such as a stadium for UCLA’s baseball team, an athletic complex for a nearby private prep school, a golf course, laundry facilities for a nearby Marriott hotel, storage and maintenance facilities for 20th Century Fox Television’s production sets, the Brentwood Theatre, soccer practice and match fields for a private girls’ soccer club, a dog park, and a farmer’s market.
Even dogs are more welcome in the park than the veterans to whom the property was deeded.
But while the rally call is to “bring our homeless veterans HOME” from dangerous L.A. alleyways and streets, VA authorities were working to rid the park of Rosebrock rallies.
“VA officials previously told Rosebrock that a federal regulation allowed hanging the American Flag and POW/MIA flags on the “Great Lawn Gate” fence, and Rosebrock, Ted Hayes and others hung as many as 30 full-size America Flags at the fence at the same time without incident. (Judicial Watch, Feb. 21, 2017)
Things suddenly changed when the travesty of being handcuffed and “roughed up” interrupted the rally on Memorial Day, 2016.
Incredibly, GLAVA authorities are now trying to have Rosebrock call state prison his home.
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Trial will begin March 7, 2017, in Los Angeles, CA now that the war vet faces federal criminal charges—all for displaying two four-by-six inch American flags OUTSIDE a Veterans Affairs (VA) fence without permission.
“Rosebrock also is being criminally prosecuted for taking photographs on Memorial Day 2016, and on Sunday, June 12, 2016, without permission.” (Judicial Watch) “The Memorial Day charge stems from photographs Rosebrock took of a Veterans Affairs police officer while the officer detained and cited him for displaying the two small flags outside the fence.
“Rosebrock also took photos of VA police detaining and handcuffing conservative activist Ted Hayes after Hayes displayed an American Flag above the same VA fence. Hayes, dressed as “Uncle Sam,” was not charged with any wrongdoing despite being detained and handcuffed.”
Thank God, in the case, United States of America v. Robert L. Rosebrock, (CC11, 4920201; 4920202; 6593951), Rosebrock will be represented by a lawyer from the highly respected Judicial Watch.
The heroic defender of homeless veterans faces up to six months’ imprisonment if found guilty on any of the three charges.
“The federal government’s pursuit of these vindictive charges against Mr. Rosebrock is mind-blowing,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “Why in the world would the feds prosecute a 74-year-old veteran over the placement of two small American Flags at the entrance to a park honoring veterans on Memorial Day?
“Frankly, President Trump should ask why the VA and his Justice Department are trying to jail this American patriot.”
Politicians, and especially all of those connected to Veteran Affairs should be reminded that honor, gratitude and respect, not empty rhetoric is what is owed to all war vets and faithful Hero of Homeless Veterans Robert Rosebrock.
On March 7, the Stars and Stripes should be shown everywhere, and as a symbol of deep admiration, should be posted to websites to honor a war vet who never has or EVER will give up on homeless veterans.
If anyone has the patriotic right to display America’s flag, it’s the veterans who risked their lives to keep the homeland safe.
God bless Robert Rosebrock who dedicates his lifetime to bring Homeless war vets HOME.
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