Grand Rapids Home for Veterans: Crime in progress part 23, Abuse and Neglect of Veterans,

Ok. This one might to make you cry, or want to vomit..

See this guy on the left? They call him Stinky or Crusty. He has been allowed by the medical and social staff here, to remain in the same clothing for over 5 months.

That is correct. This man has been wearing the same Pants (jeans), shirt, and we presume, the same underwear since before Labor day 2011. He has worn that white jacket since December and doesn't even take it off while eating meals in the dining hall. He frequently is seen sleeping in a chair in one of the day rooms, late at night. And when told he needs to take a shower by other veterans, he just laughs in their face.


It is reported that his bed sheets are as black as the color of this word, and that the cleaning people don't even like to go into his room.

And he is not the only one. One other of his 2 room mates also has a problem.

There are others on the unit too. "R" who lives in the room they call the bat cave, "D" who sleeps all day and stays up all night making coffee in the unit pantry. Then there is the roommate of Popeye and big J, who they have named "reek-in-stien".

Apparently these people are being allowed by the staff to go long periods of time without having to practice a basic level of personal hygiene. And in a building where the ventilation system only recycles the air, you can imagine how bad it is.. we end up smelling these walking Stench bombs.

Something has to be done about these guys who are going MONTHS without having to take a shower or change their clothing. I consider this state of affairs to be abuse of veterans and neglect of the veterans. It is so bad, members here are asking to change the name of the building from Rankin to Reekin.

Since most of the windows in the Ranking building cannot be opened, (they are mechanically blocked up so that members cannot open them without removing the blocks), it is all but impossible for members to get fresh air introduced into the building.

So please if you can, call GRH4V and ask them what is being done about Crusty and those like him..,

Thank you.

Grand Rapids Home for (?!) Veterans: Crime in progress part 22, Harrassment of Fred continues.

On Wednesday, August 17, 2011, I wrote the piece entitled "Grand Rapids Home for Veterans is STEALING from veterans." and introduced you to Fred. Fred lives on 3 North, a unit located on the North side of the 3rd floor of the McKleish building that is in the center of the GRH4V complex.

This place is constantly harassing Fred. When he goes to the store, they stop him and go thru his bags to see what he bought. They go thru his closet and clothes drawers when he is not in his room.

His power wheel chair is in the repair shop, so they gave him a "loaner" to use, then took that away for no reason.

No reason until now. Now they are openly going after his money again under the excuse of trying to get Fred to stop drinking.

Fred drinks. He is a happy drunk. He does not run his power chair into anyone, does not hit the power doors and knock them off track as so many other people do.

Fred's only crime is that he drinks. - And they do not like it, so they took away his power wheel chair.

Now Fred is reporting that the social worker said that although Fred was not a belligerent drunk, did not cause any trouble while drinking, that they wanted him to stop and are now forcing him to go thru a detox program for 30 days AND then start attending AA meetings against his will.

They once again, froze his bank account and access to his money WITHOUT a court order.

All this because they want to control his money, or find a way to have him declared incompetent so that THEY can obtain control of his money.

Fred also told us that he recently got a letter from the Veterans Administration about a claim that he filed in October of 2011. Just one problem: Fred never filed the claim. Someone here at the home filed it on his behalf without his permission.

Fred says he doesn't need to file anymore claims, he has enough money now, and that if that claim goes thru it will only be more money the home takes (steals) from him, so why should he file for it? The same applies for his social security. He does not need it, so he does not file for it and they keep harassing him about filing for it.

I am tired of watching this man get beat up and harassed, and going thru emotional roller coaster rides because this place keeps messing with him.

We need your help. Please call the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, McKleish unit 3 North and ask them why they are harassing Fred.


Fred is also telling us that they told him the he cannot go out and buy a house because he smokes and drinks, and that the law will not allow him to do either in his own home.. Now if that is not evidence that they are harassing this man, I don't know what is.

They also tell him that they cannot find another retirement home for him to go to, because he smokes and drinks.. well I know of several in the area.. and they would gladly take him.