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Center for Veterans' Rights - Hunger Strike, May 1981 (3 of 4)
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Center for Veterans' Rights - Hunger Strike, May 1981 (3 of 4)
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: Center for Veterans' Rights -
Hunger Strike, May 1981
(3 of 4)
Box: 43
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FBI- investigating
- Bitzer- - I just met a vet who
hosn't enten in 9
- Michael Macar thy w/ Bitzer
1
Kenveni I don't even know you guys
-
Young follow Now News the phone
Bitzer - we've got to compine
2. Invest cotion of Voction Rehab program
3. Registration delay Strent Sam
+ or Agent service-couneted Orange 10in disability
4. Harnov & update 6I fill as the
OR
current bill is inadeguate
Asked to be spokes women- - leaving afterioon this
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
In ton agary work group
Months Anderson notificator
Increase in bedgeting on overge Deposit
2.29 -1981 Oct 23.5 bodget reach outaly 1981 +1982. Center 1.3 billion
22.2 outling
$ million
V.A bedget # S
Santa US Groman Latta
No reduction reserved
in D. of we + Surger
Specific studis
on Dept
Rardhard study
of Vets benfils
provided
UA
VA lituature stady
other Agency
Depth of comtant
the President today dengater
My
bet people back to attill me personally looks working thetukin w/you in
1
Miss Chris Noel
c/o Green -Siegel
suite 104
8350 Santa Morica
L.A. Cal, 90069
Thank you for taking the time for our long conversation this morning.
I very much appreciate your efforts in behalf of Vietnam veterans.
You expressed a strong interest in the Vietnam Veteran Outreach
Centers. I regret that neither the Veterans Administration nor
the national media have accurately reflected the true situation
regarding these Outreach centers.
Here are the facts:
1) The U.S. Senate did pass a version of a budget
resolution which was anticipated to end funding of the Outreach
centers. This fact was widely publicized.
2) The President subsequently gave his full support
in the House to the Reagan bipartisan budget resolution which
restored the overwhelming majority of previously proposed cuts
in veterans programs. The battle in the House was the
biggest fight of the year, and the President won that fight.
The level of funding restored is more than enough to fund
the outreach centers.
3) The Senators and Congressmen all understood that
the restored funding would keep the Outreach Centers open.
4) The congress has authorized the spending, but it
must now pass legislation specifically extending the life of
the OUtreach centers. This has overwhelming support in both
the House and Senate. The president is specifically committed
funded and
to keeping the OUtreach centers/open when Congress authorizes
and appropriates fuilds for this program
1
by law.
5) The acting director of the Veterans Administration
has been specifically directed by the White HOuse to cease
proposed
plans to implement any/reductions in Veterans programs which
reversed and
were/restored by the Reagan bipartisan budget resolution which
has passed the congress. In short, the Outreach centers'
extension is locked in by overwhelming sentiment in the
Congress and by the President's commitment mentioned above.
6) In part because of five points listed above, the American
Legion, the V.F.W., the AMVETS, and the Blinded Veterans
Association all endorsed the Reagan bipartisan budget resolution
which restored funding to a level which would permit the
centers.
extension of the Outreach/
I only wish that every news reporter covering veterans affairs
was aware of these facts.
Again, thank you for your continued interest.
Cordially,
Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President
The White HOuse
523-8231
lender L.A
contract
sub contract
No history
1481 undone
begin
no sause in
new
300,000 to L.A.
20ther 506 contractes
Office of the
Washington, D.C. 20420
Administrator
of Veterans Affairs
VA
Veterans
Administration
MAY 27 1981
SERVINGT YEARS
MEMORANDUM FOR:
1930
1980
VETERANS
ADMINIS
OMINISTRATION
Mr. Morton Blackwell
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
In accordance with your referral, I am pleased to enclose a
suggested draft response to Mr. Ronald Bitzer.
We do not believe it would be appropriate for the President to
sign this response and suggest it be signed by a White House
official at a lower level.
Mr. Bitzer and his Center for Veteran's Rights have been
involved for some time with issues related to Vietnam veterans.
He is currently one of the leaders in the "wait-in" at our
Wadsworth VA Medical Center. Consequently, any response
will undoubtedly receive wide, negative publicity in the southern
California area.
JOSEPH J. FOLEY
Acting Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Enclosures
Vaterans Administration
Office of the
Administrator
of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D. C. 20420
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MAY. 27 1981
Mr. Morton Blackwell
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
In accordance with your referral, I am pleased to enclose a
suggested draft response to Mr. Ronald Bitzer.
We do not believe it would be appropriate for the President to
sign this response and suggest it be signed by a White House
official at a lower level.
Mr. Bitzer and his Center for Veteran's Rights have been
involved for some time with issues related to Vietnam veterans.
He is currently one of the leaders in the "wait-in" at our
Wadsworth VA Medical Center. Consequently, any response
will undoubtedly receive wide, negative publicity in the southern
California area.
JOSEPH J. FOLEY
Acting Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Enclosures
DRAFT
Mr. Ronald Bitzer
Center for Veterans Rights
514 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
Dear Mr. Bitzer:
I am pleased to respond to your mailgram posing a series of
questions about the Veterans Administration. I apologize for
the delay in responding but wanted to allow time for my staff
to thoroughly review your concerns. I will respond below to
each question:
Delayed Stress Among Vietnam Veterans
1. Mr. Hopkins' case was thoroughly reviewed by a panel of
psychiatrists at the Brentwood VA Medical Center, prompted
by his demands made at the Wadsworth VA Medical Center.
No evidence of a post-traumatic stress disorder was found but
he did have psychological symptoms which preceded his military
service. The criteria, as described in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual III, specifically indicate that the symptomatology
must occur after a severe stressor during active military service.
2. No treatment was recommended for Mr. Hopkins nor was
medication prescribed. The VA assures me that they will be
DRAFT
Mr. Ronald Bitzer
glad to investigate this matter further but some time would be
required to obtain the medical records and have them reviewed
by their Central Office psychiatrists. The Coroner's Report is
not yet available.
3. In March 1980, the Veterans Administration liberalized its
method of considering a psychiatric disorder having its onset
with a life threatening episode in military service, including
being a Prisoner of War.
It established a procedure to be followed in examining veterans
which would elicit information to establish a proper diagnosis,
which would lead to the grant of service connected compensation
for post-traumatic stress disorder. The procedure and grant
of benefits were a liberalization, in line with the latest findings
of the American Psychiatric Association.
4. The VA has been actively involved in an educational program
to acquaint their staff with the characteristic symptomatology of
the post-traumatic stress disorder. A resource group composed
of VA and non-VA experts has been utilized in this program,
especially in the VA's Vietnam Veteran outreach programs.
They will continue to stress the importance of recognizing this
disorder, as well as any other mental disorder.
DRAFT
Mr. Ronald Bitzer
Health Problems Related to Agent Orange Herbicide Exposure
1. The VA has not failed to instruct its physicians in the
diagnosis of chloracne. Two educational conferences for the
Environmental Physicians in VA medical centers have dealt with
the condition and its diagnosis. In addition, a separate task
force was created to prepare a detailed and even more
definitive discussion of the diagnosis. It has almost completed
its work.
The VA has had no development over the last few weeks that
would warrant elaboration of Dr. Shepard's statement of
April 27, 1981. No evidence has been brought forward, in fact,
that VA physicians are misdiagnosing chloracne or that it has
been a pivotal consideration in dealing with the problems of
Vietnam veterans.
2. On July 1, 1980, the Veterans Administration wrote to you
denying your appeal under the Freedom of Information Act for
the names and addresses of Vietnam veterans residing in
California and informing you that the agency would consider
your request under the authority and requirements of Title 38
United States Code, paragraph 3301. A definitive answer to your
DRAFT
Mr. Ronald Bitzer
request was postponed pending a comprehensive review and evalua-
tion for the former Administrator concerning the general area of
name and address disclosures. This review was not completed
because of the change in Administrations. Policy options in this
area will be presented to the new Administrator upon his appointment.
3. There is no need at this time to appoint an outside group to
examine the VA's handling of "re-entry problems" which may have
resulted from Agent Orange exposure. The issues surrounding the
use of Agent Orange in Vietnam relate to physical conditions more
than to "re-entry." The Veterans Administration is actively
pursuing answers to the medical questions related to Agent Orange
exposure.
4. Neither the officials at the Veterans Administration nor I can
speak for those who picketed the VA Central Office on May 22,
1981. We understand, however, that the approximately 30 individuals
who demonstrated there were part of a conference of about 200
veterans who met in Washington to express their concerns regarding
claims of disability due to Agent Orange and delayed stress.
DRAFT
Mr. Ronald Bitzer
Budget Cuts in the VA
1. All federal activities have been asked to participate in efforts
to control deficit spending. The VA budget, through realignment
of existing resources, permits the Veterans Administration to
continue to treat a record number of veteran patients with a
professional staff of unprecedented quality. I believe that the
American people can be confident that the health care of this
Nation's veterans is not being neglected.
The Academic Affairs Information Letter which you referred to in
your mailgram urged VA facilities to search for methods of cost
containment. The letter points out that housestaff save money:
"As long as housestaff provide essential patient-care services,
the Nation's hospitals could thereby function with fewer practicing
physicians resulting in lower operating budgets." There is reference
to a private (not VA) hospital where the cost was up to 60 percent
more on teaching versus non-teaching floors of the hospital, largely
on the basis of more laboratory tests. However, all intensive care
patients were admitted to the teaching floor which would require
higher costs to deliver the more intensive care.
DRAFT
Mr. Ronald Bitzer
2. There are no planned reductions of physician positions in the
VA medical care system now or in the foreseeable future.
I appreciate the opportunity to provide this information.
Lydia B. Mavridis
101B
Extn. 5081
CENTER FOR VETERANS RIGHTS R BIT
514 WEST ACAMS BLVD
western
union
LOS ANGELES CA 90007
Mailgram
S.MAIL
4-0318785140 05/20/81 ICS IPMMTZZ CSP WSHB
SUSPECTED CUPLICATE
2134799215 MGM TDMT LOS ANGELES CA 733 05-20 0125P EST
morton Blackwell
PRESIDENT FONALD REAGAN
WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON DC 20500
Scheduling
VIETNAM VETERANS ARE REQUESTING A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES DURING YOUR MENORIAL DAY VISIT TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
AT THE SITE OF THE MARCH 14, 1981 PROTEST BY THE LATE JAMES R HOPKINS
TO INHUMANE TREATMENT BY VETERANS ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL TO THE
SICK VETERANS OF THE NATION,
THE REASONS FOR THE NECESSITY OF THIS PERSONAL VISIT, WHICH SOME
VIETNAM VETERANS AND SUPPORTERS ARE STRESSING BY OUR WAIT-IN THERE,
ARE THE FOLLOWING:
DELAYED STRESS AMONG VIETNAM VETERANS
"THERE ARE NO FEATURES, COMPLAINTS OR CLINICAL FINDINGS TO SUPPORT
ANY RELATIONSHIP TO AGENT ORANGE, OR THE POST-VIETNAM STRESS
SYNDROME, ALTHOUGH THIS WAS SPECIFICALLY EXPLORED" FROM THE APRIL
7-8, 1981 CASE REVIEW OF THE LATE JAMES R HOPKINS AT THE BRENTWOOD
V.A. HOSPITAL BY DOCTORS CYRIL BARNERT, RAMZI KIRIAKCS, GERALD
MCKENNA AND MANUEL STRAKER.
1. WHY DID THE BRENTWOOD V.A. CASE REVIEW FOR JAMES R HOPKINS
COMPLICATE THE CRITERIA FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF DELAYED STRESS BY ADDING
SYMPTONS IN ADDITION TO THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICAN
PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (REFER TO SEE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL
MANUALS OF MENTAL DISORDERS, 3RD EDITION)?
2. WILL YOU ORDER AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE FAILURE OF
WADSWORTH AND BRENTWOOD V.A. HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE EVALUATION AND
TREATMENT TO THE LATE JAMES HOPKINS?
3. WHY ARE VIETNAM VETERANS, SPECIFICALLY SWORDS TO PLOWSHARES IN SAN
FRANCISCO, QUESTIONING THE MODIFICATION OF THEIR CRITERIA FOR
oe
DISABILITY COMPENSATION TO VIET NAM VETERANS FOR DELAYED STRESS BY
THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, so THAT FEWER VETERANS GUALITY FOR
SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
rid
4. WILL YOU ORDER A NATIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE VETERANS
ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING FOR VIETNAM
VETERANS BY A TEAM OF NOA-V.A. EXPERTS IN THE FIELD CF DELAYED
STRESS?
HEALTH PROBLEMS RELATED TO AGENT ORANGE HERBICIDE EXPOSURE
"IT IS HIGH TIME THAT THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND VARIOUS
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BE SHAKEN FROM THEIR LETHARGY TOWARD ALL
VETERANS." FROM THE MARCH 19, 1981 STATEMENT OF THE LATE JAMES R
HOPKINS FROM THE LOCKED WARD OF THE BRENTWOOD V.A. HCSPITAL,
1. WHY HAS THE V.A. FAILED TO INSTRUCT THEIR EXAMINING PHYSICIANS IN
TO REPLY BY MAILGRAM. SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR WESTERN UNION'S TOU FREE NUMBERS
PAGE 2
western union
Mailgram
UNITED
U.S.MAIL
THE DIAGNOSIS OF CHLORACAE DESPITE THE V.A. SO-CALLED PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION FOR AGENT ORANGE THAT THE V.A. HAS ADMINISTERED FOR MORE
THAN TWO YEARS AND THE MCRE THAN 40,000 VIETNAM VETERANS WHO HAVE
REQUESTED SUCH AN EXAMINATION FROM THE V.A. HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE
COUNTRY?
WHY IS THE V.A. ONLY ABLE TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FRCM THE CENTER FOR
VETERANS RIGHTS CONCERNING THIS IMPORTANT MATTER WITH THE APRIL 27,
1981 STATEMENT FROM DR BARCLAY M SHEPARD THAT "THE TASK FORCE (ON
AGENT CRANGE) IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REFINING DIAGNOSTIC
PROCEDURES RELATIVE TO CHLORACNE?"
2, WHY HAS THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CENTRAL OFFICE REFUSED TO
ALLOW OR DENY THE MARCH 31, 1980 REQUEST BY THE CENTER FOR VETERANS
RIGHTS FOR THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ALL DISABLED VETERANS OF THE
VIETNAM ERA IN CALIFORNIA UNDER 38 U.S.C. SECTION 3301(F) FOR THE
PURPOSE OF OUTREACH TO THEM CONCERNING THE AGENT ORANGE SERVICES OF
THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION?
3, WILL YOU APPOINT AN EXPERT PANEL OF NON-V,A INDIVIDUALS TO
EVALUATE THE NEED FOR A NATIONAL DELAYED RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR ALL 4.2 MI
LLION VIETNAM VETERANS Who HAVE LACKED INFORMATION ABOUT THE
VIETNAM RELATED PROBLEMS OF CELAYED STRESS AND USE OF TOXIC
HERBICIDES?
4. WHY ARE VIETNAM VETERANS PLANNING TO PICKET THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF
/v
THE V.A. IN WASHINGTON DC ON FRIDAY MAY 22, 1981 CONCERNING V.A. LACK
OF ACTION CN THE AGENT ORANGE ISSUES?
BUDGET CUTS IN THE VOA,
/
"I CALL ON PRESIDENT REAGAN TO STOPS SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON
INAUGURAL BALLS AND TO UTILIZE THE MONEY FOR WHAT THE DEFENDERS OR
OUR FINE COUNTRY ARE ENTITLEC TO," FROM THE MARCH 19, 1981 STATEMENT
OF THE LATE JAMES R WOPKINS.
1. WHY HAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
ORDERED A 743 MILLION DOLLAR REDUCTION IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
OF THE V.A. SYSTEMS WITHOUT ANY EVALUATION OF THE COSTLY MEDICAL
14 SCHOOL AFFILIATION IN THE V.A. SYSTEM WHICH CRAINS UF TO 60 PERCENT
OF THE MEDICAL BUDGET INTO TRAINING COSTS (SEE JULY 3 1979 V.A, DEPT
OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY LETTER 16-14-79-4)?
2 HOW WILL V.A. HOSPITALS BE ABLE TO OPERATE AT ALL WITH THE PLANNED
REDUCTION CF 20,000 PHYSICIANS IN THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM BY 1986?
PLEASE RESPOND
CENTER FOR VETERANS RIGHTS
RONALD BITZER
TEL 213-746-6315
514 WEST ÃDAMS BLVD
LOS ANGELES CA 90007
13:25 EST
MGMCOMP MGM
THE WASHINGTON STAR Sunday, June 7, 1981
A-9
National and Foreign Report
Hunger Striking Vets Yield on Key Point
LOS ANGELES (UPI) - Audozen
However, Coy said there was 'still
gan, the veterans have demanded an
Vietnam era veterans on a hunger
no end in sight. We're still strug.
independent investigation of VA
strike hope to resolve the three
gling with some extremely difficult
hospitals more research on the ef
week impasse through negotiations
and complex issues We just don't
fects of Agent Orange and recogni
with a Veterans Administration law.
have solutions, but we re still strug-
tion of delayed stress syndrome as
yer, a spokeswoman said yesterday
gling in good faith.'
a medical problem.
The hunger strikers had vowed to
Coy canceled a return flight res-
The lawn of Wadsworth hospital
fast until death unless President
has become a tent city as number of
ervation to Washington to continue
Reagan met with them at Wadsworth
the talks.
veterans and supporters have joined
VA Hospital, but there were indica-
the hunger strikers in their protest.
tions the protesters might be willing
Neither Coy nor Bitzer would give
Six veterans, known as the "Inside
to scale down that demand to some
details of their negotiations.
Six" have occupied the hospital lob-
contact with the White House
In addition to a meeting with Rea-
by since May 20.
"We are hopeful the negotiations
will continue,' said Pat Marinello, a
Preservation Copy
spokeswoman for the hunger strik-
ers. "All the demands still stand and
we're hoping the White House will
respond.
Asked if the veterans were insist-
ing on a meeting with the president,
Marinello said, "All I'm going to say
is we are still hoping for a response
from the White House.'
Representatives of the hunger
strikers began meeting with VA Gen-
eral Counsel Robert Coy Thursday.
Ron Bitzer, who has met with Coy
as a representative of the 12 hunger
strikers and six veterans holding a
sit-in in the hospital lobby, was op-
timistic the dispute could be re-
solved by today.
"We are serious about resolving
this hunger strike," Bitzer said Fri-
day.
Vretnations
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 17, 1981
TO: LARRY SPEAKES
FROM: MORTON BLACKWELL
M
RE: Press inquiries relating to Michael Chapman, California veteran
Bob Coy, Acting General Counsel at the VA, called concerning our
request for information on Michael Chapman, the hunger striker who
reportedly had a heart attack this morning. The VA doctors have talked
to his doctors, and discovered the following:
(1) Chapman, 29, suffered from chest pains this morning and was
admitted to Glendale Memorial Hospital at 3:00 A.M.
(2) He has had heart trouble before, for which he was admitted
to another hospital in 1979.
(3) There was an irregular heart beat, but no evidence of a
heart attack. He has a "metro-valve disease."
(4) He is now in satisfactory condition and doing well. He is
being given liquid through an IV but is taking no solid food.
Vuetnam
MEMORANDUM
Vetrans
THE WHITE HOUSE
Hunger
WASHINGTON
Stuke
agentoranga
TO:
MORT BLACKWELL
134 EOB
Attn: Kathy Christiansen
FROM:
Admiral Garrick rickzuy
DATE:
June 10, 1981
Herewith is the material I mentioned to you Kathy
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
OF
los
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
COUNTY
AMERICA
PATRIOTIC HALL - 1816 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90015
ROBERT L. KINGSBURY
CALIFORNIA
June 5, 1981
DIRECTOR
WM. A REYNOLDS
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Honorable Kenneth Hahn
Supervisor, Second District
County of Los Angeles
866 Hall of Administration
Los Angeles, California 90012
Dear Supervisor Hahn:
Bill Reynolds has advised me of your telephone call on June 1,
1981, concerning the Vietnam Veteran hunger strikers at Wadsworth
Hospital; and I have read the newspaper account of your visit to
them.
You may recall that Coroner Tom Noguchi stated on May 20, 1981,
that he had ordered an investigation into the death of former
Marine James Hopkins with regard to his alleged exposure to Agent
Orange. I wrote to the Coroner asking for the results of that in-
vestigation and his letter of reply is attached.
The release of his findings, I believe, is probably the extent to
which this Department and the County should go at this time barring
unforeseen circumstances.
Information reaching me from usually reliable sources indicates
that the hunger strikers themselves are sincere but perhaps mis-
guided individuals who genuinely believe that what they are doing
is appropriate. There is very little support for them from the
veterans community as a whole because it is widely believed that
two non-striking individuals (Ron Kovic and Ron Bitzer) are manip-
ulating and exploiting the group to serve their own self-seeking
purposes. Both of these individuals are very suspect to the vet-
erans community because of their past history of participation in
radical protests. Both were associated with the anti-war movement
and continue to involve themselves in a variety of anti-establishment
causes.
I would at this time respectfully urge that our position be one of
extreme caution.
Sincerely,
Rob ROBERT L. KINGSBURY
Major, USA Ret.
RLK:mjk
Director
3
1981
COUNTY OF LO
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-CORONER
1104 NO. MISSION RD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90033
ALIFORNIA
(213) 220 8024 OFFICE HOURS
(213) 226 8001 AFTER HOURS
THOMAS T NOOUCHI, MD
May 28, 1981
CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-CONONER
Robert L, Kingsbury
Major, USA Ret.
Director
County of Los Angeles
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Patriotic Hall, 1816 South Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Dear Major Kingsbury:
Thank you for your letter and interest in our investigation into
the death of James Hopkins.
We intend to do all within our ability to attempt to determine
the role played by exposure to Agent Orange, realizing that it
is a matter of great concern to many Vietnam veterans and their
families.
Just as soon as we have closed this case I shall forward our
findings to you,
Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner
TTN:c
Death of Marine
to Be 20may Investigated
By RONALD L. SOBLE, Times Staff Writer
Los Angeles County Coroner Thomas T. Noguchi dis-
closed Tuesday that he has ordered an investigation into
whether former Marine James Hopkins died as the re-
sult of Agent Orange, a powerful herbicide defoliant
used in Vietnam.
"We're looking into the genetic aspects of Agent Or-
ange," Noguchi said in a telephone interview.
A coroner's autopsy Tuesday disclosed no specific
cause of death for Hopkins, 32, who died Sunday at his
Calabasas home. He was found lying on his bed with a
liquor bottle and an empty pill container nearby, sher-
iff's deputies said.
Shot Up Hospital Lobby
Last March, dressed in camouflage battle gear, Hop-
kins drove a Jeep through glass doors of the Wadsworth
va Hospital in West Los Angeles and fired shots into
the walls of the lobby. While surrendering to police, he
complained that he was suffering from exposure to
Agent Orange.
Noguchi said he ordered a medical examination of
portions of Hopkin's brain, spinal cord and other organs
and tissues to determine whether the herbicide played a
role in the veteran's death.
He said the examination would be conducted by the
coroner's staff and by a group of "independent medical
experts" and not by Veterans Administration officials to
avoid any possibility of bias in he investigation.
Veterans File Class-Action Suits
"I don't want the VA to look at it," Noguchi said. "We
will not rely on the VA for scientific support."
Vietnam war veterans-claiming indifferent and
(cynical treatment by the Veterans Administration-
have filed class-action lawsuits demanding that the VA
pay closer attention to veterans who believe they are
suffering from exposure to Agent Orange.
Suzanne Carey Hopkins, 31, Hopkins' wife of 18
months, said the ex-Marine had suffered from night
mares. Hopkins and his wife had returned Friday from a
series of Vietnam Veterans Day appearances in Texas.
A group of veterans plans a demonstration today at
the Wadsworth VA Hospital to focus attention on vet-
eran's problems.
ATES POSTA
JOAN M. MAIMAN
300 NORTH STATE ST APT 3409
CHICAGO IL 60610
western union
Mailgram
UNITED S)
SERVICE
U.S.MAIL
4-0510248163 06/12/81 ICS IPMBNGZ CSP OAKB
3128289563 MGM TDBN CHICAGO IL 242 06-12 0350P EST
PETER TIFFANY
VETERANS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
57 WATER ST
(A National Veterans/Citizens Coalition)
PITTSBURG CA 94565
PLEASE RELAY TO THE HUNGER STRIKERS-
DEAR VETERANS,
MANY OF US WHO WERE IN VIETNAM ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED TO HEAR OF THE
CONTINUING HUNGER STRIKE IN WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED, WE WHO HAVE SEEN
so MUCH OF DEATH HAVE FOUND THAT ONE OF THE LASTING LEGACIES OF CUR
TIME IN VIETNAM IS A PROFOUND REAFFIRMATION OF THE VALUE OF LIFE. IN
A SENSE WE WERE HELD HOSTAGE TO THE FUTURE IN THAT WAR AND CAME HOME
GRANTED IN SOME CASES TO AN UNTENABLE SITUATION BUT WE DID COME HOME.
IT WOULD BE INDEED THE SUPREME IRONY IF THE LOSS OF LIFE WERE THE
AVENUE OPEN TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YCUR
FELLOW VETERANS. WE REJECT THIS NOTION, THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS. THIS
IS NOT TO BE SIMPLISTIC IN OUR BELIEF THAT SUCH SOLUTIONS ARE EASY,
OR WILL, IN THE END ACHIEVE ALL THAT WE DESIRE, BUT WE DO HAVE HOPE.
IN DEATH THERE IS NO HOPE ONLY THE END OF ANY OPTION. WHILE WE CANNOT
IN CONSCIENCE ENDORSE ANY ACT WHICH MAY CAUSE SUFFERING OR LOSS CF
LIFE FOR ANY HUMAN BEING THIS IS NOT A CONDEMNATION OF THE ISSUES
RAISED OR OF YOUR COURAGE AND COMMITMENT AS INDIVIDUALS FOR TAKING A
STAND, RATHER IT IS A STATEMENT OF HOPE THAT YOUR DEVOTION WILL BE
CHANNELED INTO AVENUES OF LIFE NOT DEATH.
JOAN M MAIMAN, CHAIRMAN, VETERANS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
15:50 EST
MGMCOMP MGM
This mailgram was read to the hunger strikers in Santa Rosa California
by Mr. Pete Tiffany, Western Regional Director for the Veterans Leadership
Conference on June 13, 1981. On Saturday evening after receiving this
message the Santa Rosa hunger strikers renounced the hunger strike
portion of their efforts to make the public aware and raise the issues
of Agent Orange, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the employment
problems of the Vietnam veteran.
(8//IN) 18/
Che
tripes
une
WASHINGTON, DC, THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1981
Chicago Salutes
Korean And Vietnam Vets
Timothy Patrick McGeehan, age
two and one half, fell In for muster
at the Memorial Dedication and
managed a anappy salute as the
Joan Malman, head of the
colors ware presented.
Vaterans Leadership Conference,
and former nurse with the American
Red Cross in Vietnam, stands
proudly with Joe Ambrose, age 85,
WWI vateran of the European
Theater, at the Memorial Dedica-
tion to Korean and Vietnam
Veterans in Chicago, IL on May 15.
8 Vietnam Veterans Fast Here
To Get Action on Agent Orange
By Leah Y. Latimer
seven years. "At first I thought it was
Washington Post/Staff Writer
jungle rot [heat rash]," he said. Now
They are far from the jungles of the
he believes it is the result of exposure
Southeast Asia of 15 years ago, yet
to the toxic herbicide Agent Orange,
Gene Dorr, Stephen Androff and John
although Veterans Administration
Avalos are scantily clad in green cam-
doctors disagree. "They give me pills
ouflage fatigues, shorts and T-shirts,
and say it will go away but it doesn't.
They fan the stagnant, humid Wash-
They say it's not Agent Orange, but
ington air in the crowded room atop
they don't say what it is."
St. Stephen and the Incarnation
The fasters and the California-
Church in Northwest Washington
based Veterans' Coalition they repre-
where they and five other Vietnam
sent want the federal government to
veterans each plan to live on a gallon
finance independent research into the
of water and the juice of one lemon a
effects on veterans of such herbicides
day until President Reagan agrees to
as Agent Orange that were sprayed
meet with them and hear their de-
into the dense jungles of Vietnam,
mands.
The American Council on Science
Androff, 33, was an artillery for-
and Health, a nonprofit group of sci-
ward observer in the Army in 1967
entists spcializing in public health is-
who went out in the brush and ra-
sues, announced in April that their
dioed the location of enemy targets to
studies found that the herbicide did
headquarters. He joined the fasting
not cause grave illnesses in humans,
strike 30 days ago and says he will see
but stopped short of making any con-
it through to the end. "I got nothing
clusions about the claims of the Viet-
to lose; I'm dying anyway on the in-
nam veterans.
stallment plan."
Meanwhile, the Environmental Pro-
Androff's face, arms and legs are
tection Agency has halted its efforts
splotched with red lesions that have
to ban 2,4,5-T, the controversial her-
been carving out holes in his skin for
See STRIKERS, D4, Col. 3
Veterans Fast to Gain Agent Orange Action
STRIKERS, From D1
bicide that is a component of Agent
Orange, and has started negotiations
over the domestic use of it, Several
studies are under way on the effects
of low doses of 2,4,5-T and Agent
Orange on human beings.
The eight men are protesters who
have brought their cause from across
the country in a time-honored fashion
of people who have a grievance -
come to Washington to lay your de-
mands at the doorstep of government.
The eight Vietnam veterans plan to
camp - two at a time in a tent at
Lafayette Park across from the White
House, while the rest of them stay at
the church.
9
Most of the fasters claim to have
some side effects from Agent Orange
9
but Androff, a Los Angeles artist, is
the most dramatic example. Because
of Agent Orange, he says, he has not
been able to father a child since he
returned to the U.S. in 1969.
The eight veterans came to Wash-
ington last week, leaving four other
fasters behind, including Michael
Chapman, 29, who suffered a heart
attack in Wadsworth, Calif. The strik-
ers also want a nongovernmental in-
vestigation into the May 16 death of
James R. Hopkins, a veteran who
died from a drug overdose after be-
coming a cause celebre in California
for his efforts to get the Veterans Ad-
ministration to certify his hearing loss
as service related.
By Fred Bweets The Washington Post
Hopkins' death ignited a torch in
Viet veteran John Michel takes drink of water as fellow hunger strikers Steve Androff and John Alvalos rest in Lafayette Square.
the heart of the fasters that their sup-
porters say they will carry until the
they allow themselves twice daily if
with pain from arthritis in his spine,
Alvalos, who is 5-foot-11; started
federal government also approves a ci-
they wish.
is unable to work. Alvalos has been
the fasting weighing 220 pounds. His
vilian readjustment program for Viet-
Dorr enlisted in Torrence, Calif., in
unemployed since last year and his
muscular chest, arms and legs seem
nam veterans to help those who suffer
1964 when he was 17 and became a
only income is a $59 weekly check
unaffected 80 far by the loss of 20
from alcholism, drug addiction and
sniper in military zones where "any-
from his state's Social Security office.
pounds in 30 days.
emotional problems. The sum of such
thing that moved was killed. I lost a
Because of the arthritis, Alvalos says
problems among Vietnam veterans re-
lot of friends out there. I-lost a lot of
the Veterans Administration has
The 5-foot-11 Androff is another
ceritly has been diagnosed as delayed
me," Dorr says, referring to the mem-
judged his condition as nonduty re-
matter. He has lost 14 pounds and
stress or post Vietnam syndrome.
ory lapses he started having while still
lated.
now weighs 154. His ribs almost poke
"I want to be able to know that
in the service.
"I was a patriotic fool. I enlisted on
out of his back. His gray eyes float in
when I'm feeling suicidal or homicidal
He calls them emotional blackouts,
the Marine Corps birthday. I was a
a pool of pink that should be white.
1 can get help before I do something I
lapses that came 20 to 30 times a
Boy Scout, and a Woodcraft Ranger.
"My mother called to tell me to
don't want to do," Gene Dorr says
day, "sometimes for weeks at a time."
Now I tell people I have disabilities
take care of myself and to keep my
calmly, as the long legs on his 6-foot-4
It was during these times that he says
and the government won't pay and
chin up," he says laughing. "She says
frame stretch over a lumpy red couch.
he would wander from city to city,
they don't know what to think," Al-
wear clean underwear. You never
"And I want to do the things delayed
state to state, get drunk, get in fights
valoe says, hunching his broad shoul-
know when you'll have to go to the
stress rohbed me of."
and usually wind up in jail. Now
ders.
hospital."
Dorr, 34, says he has had 48 jobs
Dorr's blackouts are minor and occur
and has been arrested 67 times
only once or twice a day, but the
mostly for drug and alcohol offenses
nightmares that take him back to the
since he was handed a general dis-
jungles of Vietnam remain.
charge from the Marine Corps 13
John Alvalos, a 34-year-old former
years ago. He was in the San Diego
Marine machine gunner, recently re-
County jail on a drunk driving charge
luctantly separated from his wife and
when the fasting started last month,
two children because he could not af-
He joined the fast 27 days ago and
ford to support them. They now live
though his weight is down from 203
with her parents in Glendale, Calif.,
to 184 pounds, his humor has not di
their hometown.
minished. "Three weeks of fasting and
Alvalos, nicknamed-Gunner, was hit
you bring me Lite Beer? be wiked as
by a mortar shell in the legs and back
he was handed his daily of bot-
in 1967 during a raid and later was
tled water. Others on the tast supped
awarded a Purple Heart. He still has
cups of hot her
that they admit
pain from the shelling and, combined
Preservation Copy
VIETNAM
VETERANS
MEMORIAL
June 25, 1981
FUND
DIRECTORS
STAFF
Robert H. Frank, CPA
Treasurer
Morton Blackwell
Jan Craig Scruggs*
President
George W. Mayo, Jr., Esq.*
The White House
Col. Donald E. Schaet, USMC, Ret.*
John P. Wheeler III, Esq.*
Executive Vice President
NATIONAL SPONSORING
Washington, D.C. 20500
Robert W. Doubek, Esq.*
Project Director/Secretary
COMMITTEE
Sandie Fauriol
Amold "Red" Auerbach
Campaign Director
Boston Celtics Corporation
Pearl Bailey
Singer
Marion S. Barry, Jr.
Dear Mr. Blackwell:
Mayor
District of Columbia
Rocky Bleier*
Ruben Bomilla
We have just been informed that the Vietnam Veterans on a hunger
League of United Latin
American Citizens (LULAC)
strike in Washington have been granted permission to have their
The Hon Ellsworth Bunker
hunger strike on the site for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Carol Burnett
Actress
Rosalynn Carter
The Hon. Max Cleland*
The purpose of this letter is to let you know that we have absolutely
The Hon. Baltasar Corrada
no affiliation with this group of Vietnam veterans, nor did they consult
Resident Commissioner
of Puerto Rico to the
U.S. Congress
with us regarding their decision to take their hunger strike to the
Howard Cosell
site for the memorial.
Sports Commentator
Gen. Michael S. Davison, USA, Ret.*
Former Commander-in-Chief,
U.S. Army, Europe
I have also attached an update on the design for the Vietnam
The Hon. Gerald R. Ford
and Mrs. Ford
Veterans Memorial. A recent article printed in the Wall Street
Philip Geyelin
Journal implied that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial would not be
Journalist
Barry Goldwater
identified as the memorial to those who served in that war. As
United States Senator
from Arizona
you can see from the enclosure, the Wall Street Journal editorial
Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C.
University of Notre Dame
was inaccurate.
Bob Hope
Entertainer
Gen. David C. Jones*
We continue to make excellent process with our program. I believe
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Vernon E Jordan, Jr.
we will be able to dedicate the memorial in November 1982. Needless
National Urban League
The Hon George McGovem
to say we could not have come this far without the support you have
Nancy Reagan
given us.
Carl T. Rowan
Columnist
Lupe Saldana*
American C.I. Forum of the U.S.
Willie Stargell
Pittsburgh Pirates
Sincerely,
Roger Staubach*
James Stewart
Entertainer
Vice Adm J.B. Stockdale, USN, Ret.*
John W. Warner
United States Senator
from Virginia
James Webb*
Jan C. Scruggs
Author Fields of Fire
Gen. William C. Westmoreland, Ret.*
President
Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Anny
SPONSORING
ORGANIZATIONS
Air Force Association
JCS/crc
The American Legion
AMVETS
National Guard Association
of the United States
The Non Commissioned
Officers Association of
the United States of America
Reserve Officers Association
of the United States
Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the U.S.
*Served in Vietnam
Affiliations noted for
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc.
purposes of identification only
1110 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 308, Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 659-2490
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1981
The New York Times
Remembering Vietnam
Commemorating war dead in art is a rite as old as
peared predictably on the village green. Anonymous
memory and mourning, so it was inevitable that there
generals and unknown soldiers furnish innumerable
would be a competiton for a Vietnam War Memorial in
traffic islands. Forgotten heroes dot the nation's parks.
Washington. The winning design, by Maya Ying Lin, a
The uniforms change, the heroes sit or stand or occa-
Yale architecture student, is for a low, angled wall in-
sionally ride a horse, but the message remains the
scribed with names, to be built between the Lincoln
same: a noble cause well served.
Memorial and the Washington Monument. The horizon-
Nowadays, though, patriotism is a complicated
tal lines, the simple geometry and the somber stone
matter. Ideas about heroism, or art, for that matter,
create a mood that is sober and eternal.
are no longer what they were before Vietnam. And
The Vietnam war is not easy to memorialize; even
there is certainly no consensus yet about what cause
the competition was protested by some who also pro-
might have been served by the Vietnam War.
tested against the war, and the monument is likely to
But perhaps that is why the V-shaped, black gran-
remain a controversial site for some time to come.
ite lines merging gently with the sloping earth make
But the controversy reflects more than bitterness
the winning design seem a lasting and appropriate
left over from the war. It used to be much simpler to
image of dignity and sadness. It conveys the only point
build a monument. The roll of honor on bronze tablets,
about the war on which people may agree: that those
or the statue of the fallen warrior holding a flag ap-
who died should be remembered.
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL DESIGN
The purpose of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is to establish
a permanent national memorial in Washington, D.C. to all Americans who
served in the armed forces in the Vietnam War--those who returned, those
who were wounded, those who gave their lives and those who are still
unaccounted for. The memorial design, in its setting of green lawns,
stately trees, pleasant walkways, and modest landscaping will be an
eloquent tribute.
To obtain a design for the memorial, VVMF conducted a nationwide
competition, which was open to all Americans over 18 years old.
A total of 2573 individuals and design teams registered, making
the competition the largest ever held for an actual project in the United
States-and perhaps the world. Actual design entries in the competition
total 1421, which were judged anonymously by a jury of eight internationally
known architects, landscape architects, and sculptors.
All eight jurors were personally interviewed by the VVMF to ascertain,
among other things, their sensitivity to the nation's need to provide
appropriate recognition to the men and women who served in Vietnam. All
jurors were required to read extensively from the most current literature
about the war authored by Vietnam veterans.
VVMF and the design competition winner are now engaged in the development
phase of the winning design concept. During this phase, which is taking
place concurrently with the engineering of the project, all appropriate
details and refinements will be considered and decided upon.
Among the questions to be considered are safety, access for the handi-
capped, appropriate inscriptions and identification of the memorial, drain-
age and size of lettering. While final details are yet to be worked out,
all of the following criteria will be met for the memorial.
IL will be appropriately identified as the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial.
It will be fully accessible to the handicapped.
Adequate drainage will be provided.
All safety needs will be met.
VVMF was founded and is directed and managed by Vietnam veterans, who
undertook the effort for the memorial to insure that their comrades who
died, as well as all others who served, receive fitting and proper honor
and recognition from American society. The memorial, extending over 400
feet in length in the most prominent of locations, will be among the most
beautiful and magnificent ever built in the Nation's Capitol.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 1981
Vietnam War Memorial Captures
Anguish of a Decade of Doubt
United Press International
Maya Ying Un with her design for the national memorial to Vietnam War veterans, to be built in Washington
By PAUL GOLDBERGER
The surprise of having a 21-year-old
That is all there is. The memorial
winner naturally focused a lot of atten-
will not be a building, and it will not
Special to The New York Times
tion on Miss Lin, so that the winning de-
contain any sculpture or other decora-
WASHINGTON - There was quite a
sign itself tended to be obscured some-
tion. Although the walls will be covered
flutter here recently when the winner
what by its creator's shadow. But time
with the names of the dead, it will still
of the nationwide competition to design
will surely change all of that, for Miss
be, in a sense, a tabula rasa, a blank
a memorial to veterans of the Vietnam
Lin's design appears to be one of the
slate; for this memorial's special gift
War was announced. The competition,
most subtle and sophisticated pieces of
to us will be its capacity for being inter-
the largest design competition ever
public architecture to have been pro-
preted in many ways.
held in the United States,
posed for Washington in many years.
The memorial is to be dark in a city
was won not by a nation-
An
ally known architect, or
On the Mall in Washington
of white buildings. To visit it, one will
gently descend in a city in which other
Appraisal
even by a practicing ar-
The memorial is to be built in Consti-
memorials gently ascend. Thus, it dif-
chitect at all, but by a 21-
tution Gardens, an expansive lawn at
fers from the rest of Washington in
year-old architectural stu-
the west end of the mall, near the Lin-
dent from Yale University.
coin Memorial. Miss Lin's idea is sim-
much more than architectural style. It
So it was perhaps no surprise that the
ple and dignified: She proposed a pair
is not haughty in the manner of so
winner, Maya Yang Lin, became some-
of 200-foot-long black granite walls, set
much of official Washington architec-
thing of an instant celebrity. Someone
to form two sides of an oblique triangle.
ture; rather, it is discreet and quiet.
without an architectural degree had
Within the triangle, the ground slopes
The memorial makes it clear that,
came in first in a field of 1,420 entries.
gently down, so that the walls are 10
because of the national controversy.
The jury, as in all architectural compe-
feet high at the apex. On the walls, in
over the Vietnam War, the struggle
titions, had made its choice on the basis
letters three-quarters of an inch high,
could not be commemorated with the
of the design alone. Its members had no
will be carved the names of the 57,692
unwavering certainty depicted in most
idea who had designed the winning
Americans killed in Vietnam from 1963
of our other monuments. But the design
entry until the decision was complete.
to 1973.
does those who served in Vietnam no
dishonor. Indeed, its extreme dignity
A number of entries in this competi-
and restraint honors these veterans
tion did try to return in some way to
with more poignancy, surely, than
classical precedent, thus echoing the
most more conventional monuments.
memorials now in Washington and fol-
The design is "minimalist," in a lit-
lowing the current and, it would ap-
eral sense. But it is not the minimalism
pear, growing fashion for cl assicism.
of a cube idly dropped onto a lawn. It is
But the jury of architects and land-
the minimalism of the gifted artist able
scape architects, which included Pietro
to use simple means to achieve a com-
Belluschi, Grady Clay, Garrett Eckbo,
plex end. That is not easy. Much mini-
Richard H. Hunt, Constantino Nivola,
malism comes off merely as empti-
James Rosati, Hideo Sasaki and Harry
ness, but this design seems able to cap-
M. Weese, had little interest in these ef-
ture all of the feelings of ambiguity and
forts and conferred second prizes and
anguish that the Vietnam War evoked
honorable mentions on a group of de-
in this nation.
signs that, like Miss Lin's, were fairly
From Miss Lin's competition draw-
abstract in nature. Many involved plat-
ings and a preliminary model made
forms, groups of trees or arrangements
quickly after her victory was an-
of stark stone walls.
nounced, one senses that this will be a
None of the runners-up were so subtle
place in which nature and architecture
or so generally strong as Miss Lin's de-
come into balance. The strength of the
sign, although some were quite provoc-
granite wall and the softness of the
ative. The architects Abner B. Cohen
green lawn will contrast so as to pro-
and Winthrop W. Faulkner proposed a
vide the contemplative setting that
memorial that would have appeared to
such a monument requires.
be a great American flag set on the
From the Vietnam Veterans Me-
ground, its stars made up of trees and
morial there will be views of the nearby
its stripes made up of stone. Mark J.
Lincoln Memorial and the Washington
Loftus, a sculptor, suggested a sculp-
Monument, and not the least of the vir-
ture made up of 57,000 10-inch-high
tues of this design is that it does not try
carved figures, each representing one
to upstage its neighbors, reflecting an
of the war dead, set into a great in-
understanding of the differing purposes
clined stone wall.
of the monuments.
It will cost perhaps as much as $7
By its huge size alone, this competi-
million to build the memorial, accord-
tion would have ranked as a significant
ing to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
event in current architectural circles.
Fund, the nonprofit, Washington-based
The competition in 1970 for the design
organization that was authorized by
of the Pompidou Center, the new mu-
Congress in 1980 to establish the me-
seum in Paris, brought 681 entries,
morial. Funds will be raised privately,
fewer than half the number that this
and the group has thus far obtained
competition attracted.
about $1 million. There is as yet no
starting date for construction of the
This competition was also unusual in
winning design.
that it did not require that entrants
produce an actual building; in fact,
they were encouraged not to. The task
given to the contestants called for a
memorial that was "contemplative and
reflective in character" and "not a
political statement." Beyond that, the
designers were on their own.
It was a particularly difficult chal-
lenge, because there is so little sense
right now of an appropriate style for
memorials. The equestrian figure that
so filled the nation's parks and public
squares in the late 19th century holds
little power now. But modern architec-
ture has not done well at producing a
memorial style suitable to replace it.
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 16, 1981
To:
Frank Ursomorso
From:
Morton Blackwell
III
Re:
Wadsworth V.A. Hospital Demonstration
Should anyone ask the President about the status of
the demonstration at the Wadsworth V.A. Hospital, I suggest
he make the following points:
This was a Veterans Administration matter,
which I believe was well handled.
-- The V.A. worked with the original hunger
strikers and explained to them what our
Administration is doing regarding Agent
Orange research and other issues of importance
to Vietnam veterans. On May 28, the original
hunger strikers voluntarily broke their fast
and went home.
-- On June 9, when it was determined that
continuation of the demonstration was
intefering with patient care, the V. A.
peacably evicted the remaining demonstrators
from the hospital property. We have had had
no further communication from this group.
Frank, on another matter, I strongly suggest inviting
Acting Administrator Dr. Donald Custis, nominee for
Administrato Robert Nimmo, nominee for Deputy Administrator
Allen Clark, Jr. and Nick Longworth of the V.A.
Clark is a West Point grad who lost both legs in Vietnam.
Inviting these V.A. leaders will strengthen the ties
they are building with the veterans group leaders.
Office of the
Washington, D.C. 20420
Administrator
of Veterans Affairs
Veterans
Administration
June 17, 1981
1980 1930 YEARS SERVING THE
VETERBAS
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Mr. Morton Blackwell
Special Assistant to The
President for Membership Groups
The White House
We have been advised that Michael Chapman, age 29, who
allegedly is one of the second group of Vietnam veteran
"hunger strikers" that participated in the recent Wadsworth
VA Medical Center demonstration, suffered chest pains early
this morning (June 17) and was admitted at 3:00 a.m. to the
Glendale Memorial Hospital. It is understood that he had
a previous history of heart disease, and had been treated
in 1979 at the Long Beach VAMC. Upon admission at Glendale,
he was suffering from an irregular heart beat, but further
examination revealed no evidence of a heart attack. The
heart rhythm is now essentially normal, and the patient is
in satisfactory condition and doing well. He has received
IV fluids and has taken other liquids by mouth, but has
refused solid foods. He remains in the hospital under
observation.
4:30 p.m.
June 17, 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Mr. Morton Blackwell
Special Assistant to The
President for Membership Groups
The White House
We have been advised that Michael Chapman, age 29, who
allegedly 18 one of the second group of Vietnam veteran
"hunger strikers" that participated in the recent Wadsworth
VA Medical Center demonstration, suffered chest pains early
this morning (June 17) and was admitted at 3:00 a.m. to the
Glendale Memorial Hospital. It is understood that he had
a previous history of heart disease, and had been treated
in 1979 at the Long Beach VAMC. Upon admission at Glendale,
he was suffering from an irregular heart beat, but further
examination revealed no evidence of a heart attack. The
heart rhythm is now essentially normal, and the patient is
in satisfactory condition and doing well. He has received
IV fluids and has taken other liquids by mouth, but has
refused solid foods. He remains in the hospital under
observation.
4:30 p.m.
Vietnam Veterans
Win Aid Promise,
Continue Strike
By Jay Mathews
Washington Post Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES, June Twelve hun
ger strikers outside a Veterans Administra
tion hospital here have won promises of ex-
panded medical treatment for Vietnam vet-
erans but are still insisting on official White
House attention to a broad range of veter-
ans complaints.
Thom Parish, who served with the Navy
in the Tonkin Gulf and as supporting the
protesters, said Friday the White House has
SO far refused to send a representative and
SO the hunger strike, entering its third week
for some of the 12, will continue.
There was indication that the protesters
might accept contact with the White House
rather than a personal meeting with Pres-
ident Reagan, as they had demanded, and
talks between the veterans and a VA attor-
ney were continuing today.
The hunger strikers and a few dozen sup-
porters are camped out in the lobby and in
colorful tents on the outside lawn of the
huge VA hospital complex in West Los An-
geles.
They are asking for more research into the
long-range effects of toxic herbicides like
Agent Orange, used to remove jungle cover
during the Vietnam war, and medical exam-
inations for all veterans who served in Viet-
nam to identify lingering health problems,
particularly the "delayed stress" syndrome.
Two VA officials from Washington told
the protesters Wednesday that a team of
outside doctors would look into complaints
of inadequate care at the VA hospitals here
and would investigate the case of 2X Marine
James Hopkins, whose apparent suicide May
17 set off the protest.
Hopkins drove a jeep through the West
Los Angeles hospital's glass doors and fired
shots in the lobby two months before his
death, blaming his outburst on the hospital's
failure to treat deafness, which he said was
caused by contact with Agent Orange.
"Professionally and personally, we are all
concerned about our vets, concerned about
Agent Orange, concerned about delayed
stress," said Nick Longworth, special assis-
tant to acting VA administrator Donald Cus-
tis and one of the officials who spoke to the
veterans this week. "We don't want any of
those young men to hurt themselves out
there."
Longworth also said the VA would expand
dector education and examinations of pa-
tients complaining of "delayed stress" syn-
drome.
Gene Dorr, 34, one of the veterans sup-
porting the protest, said he has been' ar-
rested 66 times in the past several years for
drunkenness and drug use and is unable to
hold a job for more than a few months at PM
time. He blamed stress associated with his
service in the Marine Corps in Vietnan, in
the mid-'60s.
Chuck Bass, who has been on a diet of
fruit juice and vitamins for the last 16 days,
said, "Pm going to be here for the duration,
until the problem is solved." Bass weighed
about 270 pounds at the beginning of the
protest and has lost more than 20 pounds.
He was briefly hospitalized earlier in -the
week when the apparently fainted along with
another protester. Both have returned to the
protest.
Preser
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ICS IPMNAW B WSH
81 MAY 27 P7:00
10058 GOVT NEWASHINGTON DC 197 05-27 0609P EDT
20:06
RMS HONORABLE RONALD REAGAN
20996
WHITE HOUSE DC
DEAR MR. FRESIDENT:
I HAVE A COPY OF A TELEGRAM SENT TO YOU ON MAY 20, 1981 BY
A GROUP OF VIETNAM VETERANS ENGAGED IN A DEMONSTRATION AT THE
WADSWORTH VA MEDICAL CENTER IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. A
NUMBER OF OTHER VIETNAM VETERANS, WHO HAVE GATHERED OUTSIDE THAT
MEDICAL CENTER, HAVE VOWED TO CARRY ON A FAST UNTIL THE
DEMONSTRATORS RECEIVE A RESPONSE TO THEIR MAY 20 TELEGRAM.
I HAVE SEEN THE LIST OF CONCERNS WHICH HAVE LED THE VIETNAM
VETERANS TO SIT IN AT WADSWORTH AND TO CONDUCT THE FAST.
OBV IOUSLY, THE VETERANS ARE SERIOUSLY CO NCER NED WITH THESE
COMPLAINTS AND GRIVANCES AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH FULLY AND
26985
YMPATHETICALLY BY OUR GOVERNMENT. THE PROBLEMS OF THESE
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VETERANS ARE CONTINUING SYMPTOMS OF THE TERRIBLE HERITAGE OF
THE VIEINAM WAR, MR PRESIDENT. I URGE THAT YOU DO EVER YT HI NG
BHUW POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE A REPLY TO THE VIETNAM VETERANS WHO HAVE
CONTACTED YOU IN ORDER THAT YOUR ADMINISTRATION MAY OPEN
A MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR CO NCER NS. CO
WITH WARM REGARDS.
CORDIALLY
ALAN CRANSTON
NNNN
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
REFERENCE SLIP
TO (Name or title-Mail routing symbol)
INITIALS-DATE
1.
Morton Blackwell
2. Special Asst. to the President
for Public Liaison
3.
4.
5.
REASON FOR REFERENCE
AS REQUESTED
FOR YOUR FILES
NOTE AND RETURN
COMMENTS
X
INFORMATION
PER CONVERSATION
CONCURRENCE
NECESSARY ACTION
SIGNATURE
REMARKS
RE: Wadsworth VA Medical Center
FROM
DATE
Nick Longworth
6/9/81
Spec, Assistant, VACO
TEL. EXT.
VA FORM
EXISTING STOCKS OF VA FORM 3230,
AUG 1976
3230
QCT 1956, WILL BE USED RU.S. Government Printing Office: 1978-269-449
Office of
11000 Which Boulevard
CONTACT: FRANK W. TERRY
Information Services
Los Angeles CA $0024
(After Hours: (213) 291-7631)
(213) 824-7085
Veterans
Administration
News Release
June 9, 1981
LOS ANGELES- After 18 days of sit-ins, hunger strikes and sleep-ins,
VA officials at the Wadsworth VA Medical Center ordered those participating
in such demonstrations to vacate the premises.
The order, issued by Wadsworth Director William K. Anderson at 5:30 a.m.
today. advised the demonstrators to leave or face arrest by VA police.
Most of the demonstrators who were in tents on the hospital grounds complied
with the order. However, seven of the demonstrators who were sleep-ins in the
hospital lobby did not comply and were removed by VA police to another location
for processing.
Robert Coy, Acting VA General Counsel, chief spokesman for the VA, held
repeated meetings with the leaders of the demonstrators in an effort to review
their complaints. As a result of these discussions, two letters addressing their
concerns were transmitted to spokesmen for the demonstrators from Acting YA Admin-
istrator, Dr. Donald 1. Custis. These responses were rejected by the demonstrators.
The continued presence of the demonstrators inside and on hospital grounds
began to adversely affect patient care and other hospital operations. It was at
this point the decision was made to notify the demonstrators that they must leave.
"We regret being forced to take such action, but despite this," said Coy.
"the Veterans Administration intends to fulfill all of the commitments set forth
in the Custis letters. which were designed to address some of the real concerns
of the Vietnam veteran. 1 feel a national VA workshop, which has been announced,
will be an important forum where these concerns can be explored further."
$
f
#
06/41 ISAD
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The hospital director said he made the decision to evict
the demonstrators after a number of incidents were reported
that were causing an adverse effect on patient morale and employee
productivity.
While it is expected that most of the protestors, inside
and out, will either leave peaceably or offer only passive resis-
tance, assistance from law enforcement officials has been arranged,
if needed, Anderson said.
"The more than 500 veterans who are patients in Wadsworth
and the four to five hundred who come here daily for outpatient
care have a right to expect the full attention of management to
our primary job of providing high quality hospital care,"
Anderson said. "This demonstration has monopolized our attention
far too long."
# # #
June 9, 1981
Information Services
Washington, D.C. 20420
(202) 389-2741
Veterans
Administration
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Demonstrators who have occupied the Wadsworth Veterans
Administration Hospital in Los Angeles for 18 days were ordered
this morning to leave DI face arrest.
Hospital Director William C. Anderson said the continued
presence of the two groups -- one in the lobby and one on the
hospital grounds - had become a serious threat to the quality
of patient care.
He issued the order after leadership in the two groups
became so fragmented that further discussions with them became
impossible.
Anderson and his staff as well as Robert Coy, VA General
Counsel from Washington, have held marathon discussions with the
groups' various leaders since May 30.
VA's Acting Administrator Dr. Donald Custis has sent
two letters to the protestors addressing the original demands
of the group which first occupied the hospital lobby on May 20.
As the crowd outside the hospital was joined by sympathizers and
onlookers, demands grew more obscure and the continuing dialogue
with VA officials deteriorated.
-more-
MEMORANDUM
fill
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 6, 1981
TO:
ELIZABETH H. DOLE
FROM:
MORTON BLACKWELL
RE:
Demonstrators demanding to see the President
Although there continues to be media coverage of the demonstrators,
some of whom are Vietnam Veterans, who are demanding to see the President,
I strongly recommend that dealings with these people continue to be
through the Veterans Administration. A meeting with the President for
these people would only aggrevate the situation and give encouragement
to a tiny handful of experienced agitators.
We made the decision at the time of the original hunger strike at
Wadsworth Veterans Administration Hospital in California that the
Veterans Administration would be tasked with all direct dealings with
these people. The letter to the original hunger strikers, which we
drafted for Acting Veterans Administrator Dr. Donald Custis on May 28,
caused the original five hunger strikers to break their fast and leave
satisfied.
Subsequently, on June 9, the Veterans Administration evicted the
remaining demonstrators from the VA Hospital facility. Then a group
of these demonstrators flew to Washington and are camping out each day
in Lafayette Park. Others of this group are starting in California
with the intention of driving across the country in an effort to obtain
additional publicity for their demands to meet with the President.
The leaders of this group include those who ran a similar sit-in
demonstration in 1974 at Long Beach VA Hospital. The Veterans Administration
informs us that several of the "followers" involved have records
of psychiatric problems.
In my judgment the President will serve neither the interests of
the protestors themselves nor the cause of the Vietnam veterans by
granting these demonstrators an opportunity for increased publicity
and a confrontation.
It is most important that we remember that the issues they are
raising, namely increased study of the effects of herbicide Agent Orange,
better health care for veterans, and the determination that delayed stress
syndrome is a service related illness, have all ready been addressed
by this Administration, specifically in Dr. Custis' letter of May 28.
Mr. Robert Nimmo and the leaders of the American Legion, Veterans
of Foreign Wars, and virtually every other Veterans group including
Bobby Muller's Vietnam Veterans of America all agree that a Presidential
meeting with these protestors would be counterproductive. To date
I think that the Veterans Administration has done an excellent job and
can be relied upon to handle this matter best for the President.