Friday, January 28, 2011

Hanging Is Too Good...!


Somethings should just never happen! This is one of them!

Pearl Harbor survivor found living in filth; caretaker arrested on suspicion of elder abuse

January 26, 2011 | 6:29 pm



A 93-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor was found dirty, disoriented and living in filth at his home outside El Cajon, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The man's caretaker, Milagros Angeles, 63, was arrested on suspicion of elder abuse. Sheriff's deputies also discovered that thousands of dollars had been taken from the veteran, the Sheriff's Department said Wednesday.

When deputies went to the tiny home on Euclid Avenue on Tuesday, they found the resident clutching what apparently was his prized possession: a picture of the ship, the Vestal, that he was serving on the day of the Japanese attack.

The Vestal, a repair ship, was moored next to the battleship Arizona. After being repaired at Mare Island in Vallejo, Calif., it returned to the fleet and engaged in several major battles.

Suffering from dementia and dehydration, the victim was taken to the Veterans Affairs hospital in San Diego. His name was not released, in accordance with rules involving elder abuse cases.

His status as a Pearl Harbor survivor was confirmed by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Assn., according to the group's past president Arthur Herriford. "It's a damn shame that this happened," he said.

Sgt. Mark Varnau of the Sheriff's Department elder abuse unit said the the suspect initially did not want to allow deputies into the home. The veteran was found sitting in a chair, holding the picture, he said.

The man has relatives in Southern California, but they were unaware of his condition, Varnau said.

"We tell people they should check on their kids," Varnau said. "They should check on their parents too."

The suspect was booked into county jail. She is being held on $100,000 bail.

Where was the family and relatives? Why wasn't someone checking on this man's condition from time to time? Where was the social services people that proclaim to be in charge of these types of programs? Where were the church groups? Anyone...?

What the Hell is going on in our once proud country today, that we sit back and allow our elderly...especially our vets to be mistreated in such a manner? Someone should have known! Someone should have been checking!

The same goes for the children today! Much to often, they seem to be the targets of abuse and mistreatment by the lowlifes that are supposed to be taking care of them! Far too often, no one seems to speak up for them until it's too late!

This kind of thing just makes me sick to my stomach. There should be a special place in Hell for folks like this, and I'll be glad to help 'em get to it!

Let's get some fresh coffee! I need it to wash this bad taste from my mouth!

21 comments:

DianeLynn said...

It is ironic that you would post this tonite while I was writing mine.
I fell under conviction about our soldiers of today. With my son now serving in Afghanistan I have become aware of the help our military needs when they return home especially the wounded & their families. I am sure we can find someone be it a vet or a returning soldier that we can help within our own communities.
Your right Mr Jim someone should have known...let it be me!

HermitJim said...

Hey Diane-Sage...
If I may tell you something from personal experience...it may help!

The first time I went into the VA hospital here in Houston with heart trouble, it was just before Christmas. I was really depressed being in the hospital at that time of the year!

Volunteers came by on Christmas day just to visit, sing carols, and deliver some small gifts to everyone in the hospital. Hankerchefs, socks, and packages of underwear...but it was the fact that someone came by and offered of their time and shared a smile that meant the most!

Believe me when I say, just showing that someone cares can make a big difference and means so much!

God bless and thanks for coming by today!

Ken said...

...yep,someone needs to kill that persons whole bloodline...

DianeLynn said...

Thanks Mr. Jim...gonna put my local VA hospital on my list. :)

HermitJim said...

Hey Ken...
I have to agree with you, my friend!

Way too many of this type are wandering around free as it is!

Thanks for coming by today, buddy!

Phelan said...

My father was in the hospice in the Wichita VA over Valentines day. Some very pretty local women had come through with flowers balloons and heart shaped pillows visiting all the vets in that wing. My son while in boyscouts use to collect personal hygiene products and books and they would be delivered to the men in the VA. Th boyscout troop would then sing Christmas carols to the men. (have not sen any women in the hospice part while there)

I talked to the VA last year, but I need to talk with them again, as soon as my seedlings come up I will be going there to discuss a victory garden once again. They use to have one for the men, but not anymore.

Ben in Texas said...

When I heard stories like this one I first get very angry. ( lockup that "caregiver" ) Then I get depressed. I was never in the service,but have always had great respect for those who did serve.
We can only hope that that Hero's family got a wakeup call and will do the right thing.

Every time I see someone wearing some cap, or tee shirt or what ever with a service branch emblem on it. I take the time to ask them when and where they served. THEN, I tell him THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. Some are surprised but all seem to brighten up.

Maybe I should contact my local VA hospital and see if there is something I can do.

Sixbears said...

I'm just heartsick.

Baby Sis said...

Bubba -
You and I were always raised around the old folks, and they were always kept at home with family until just impossible any more. Few people have that exposure these days. I pity them.

Ironic, but yesterday my boss called me in to work on a special project, as she knows how much I support the USO, Homes for Vets, DAV, DAR, etc. Seems the National Memorial Ladies want to erect a memorial in the park next door to our office property in honor of the local Iraq and Afganistan vets, and are looking for donations. Guess who gets to write a proposal to go up to the Ivory Tower? After your venting this morning, I'm more invigorated than before, and as always, ready to do my small bit for our vets, especially you and my own SAC guy. Love you, Bubba.
Big hugs -

Anonymous said...

Would any of you kind-hearted righteous folks want to give me a caring hand? I'm not of the military service, yet I am in dire need. As for those 'christian' caring ones, I'm surrounded by 'christians' who could care less that I'm hungry and in need! 25 years of struggle to keep going, yet the 'christian' only stopped by to "save my soul", hand out religious phamplet or beg for a donation, even my car!!! to help support their "Do Goodness". Bah, Humbug on the whole lot.

Caddie said...

The relatives/family need charging with elder abuse also. It is a sad world that our old people are just "thrown away", thrown to the lions, so to speak. Sickening and inexcusable. Yet nursing homes have their many abuse cases happening. The only winners are the rich who own the elder homes.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phelan...
I think the main thing here is that knowing someone cares enough to even come by.

That can and does make a lot of difference in the recovery process.

I think what the scouts did is excellent as well!

Hey, thanks, my friend, for coming by today!


Hey Ben...
Sometimes our time is the best gift we can give. I know all the folks you thank are pleased and the fact you think about them says a lot about your strength of character, I think!

I appreciate you coming by today, buddy!


Hey Sixbears...
Does sort of make you that way, doesn't it? Sad all the way around!

I really do thank you for coming by today!


Hey Sis...
I know that you'll do an outstanding job on getting the proposal wording just right!

I think that a memorial is certainly a good idea...and any help that can be given would be appreciated! It seems like the very least we could do!

Thanks for coming by today, Sis!


Hey Sissy...
I do think you're right about the family should have been more aware of what was going on!

A whole generation of ours seems to have fallen through the cracks of society! The saddest part to me is the fact that many families seem to just forget about their elderly.

Sad indeed! But it happens in so many families, including some branches of my own family!

Thanks so much for coming by today, my friend!

Jane said...

hello mr jim, it really is a shame that family and others didn't check on this vet. People we really are our brothers keeper! Blessings jane

Anonymous said...

It's a sad sad fact HJ, people today are just too selfish, they forget that their parents spent years sacrificing their lives to bring them up and in the end are just "too busy" to return the favour. My own kids have become much the same, my stepkids care and contact me more than my own blood.

AV

Anonymous said...

I should have added that I talk to my Mum every Saturday at 7:30pm, even though we are on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean, different ends of the Earth; just to say "Hello."

AV

HermitJim said...

Hey Jane...
I would be ashamed to know that my father, grandfather, uncle, or any other elderly person I knew was being treated this way...and I did nothing to stop it!

Let's hope that he finally gets the help and care he is entitled to and deserves!

Thank you for stopping by today!


Hey AV...
It's always a pleasure to see you again, my friend!

I have the same problem with my oldest! Two sons, and neither will even call me or their grandmother! That's sad, I think!

Oh well, guess it's like they say...what goes around, comes around! We'll see!

Many thanks for coming by today, buddy!

Mayberry said...

It's all part of the moral decay of this country. Really sick...

Catman said...

Ditto on Mayberry's comment.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mayberry...
I'm thinking that the morals are all gone the way of the dinosaur!

Sad, but true!

I appreciate you coming by today!


Hey Catman...
All we have to do is to watch the commercials on television! Pretty obvious that our attitudes are in serious decay!

I do appreciate the visit today, buddy!

Tatersmama said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tatersmama said...

I think you better start me off with a Jack Daniels this morning, Hermit Jim. I need it worse than the coffee - and it helps settle my stomach.

I work with a homeless vets organization,(CA chapter) and unfortunately, this is becoming more and more common.
It seems like we can't afford to care for illegal immigrants, and then care for our so-deserving "HERO'S" as well.

I need to go up-chuck I think.

(btw... it was me who deleted the last comment. Darn fingers!)