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"Freedom and responsibility we speak of easily, nearly always without recognition of the iron courage required to make them effective in our lives." j. glenn gray

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Veterans Beware; The Story of BABA & The Benson's


I am writing this to let everybody know what just happened to my dear friends Jessica & Latseen Benson. It would be a travesty that such aberrant behavior would go on unnoticed. I hope Jessica & Latseen don't mind that I tell y'all their story but, knowing them I'm certain they would appreciate it if just to let other Veterans know to beware of those who approach them with promises of large gifts.

Sgt Latseen Benson was hit by an IED on 13NOV2005 while on foot patrol with the Pukin' Buzzards near Mosul, Iraq. The blast tore off his left leg below the knee and his right leg nearly to his hip. Latseen lost his legs that day as well as part of who he was before the war. They stabilized him in the field and sent him to Germany for repairs after which he was sent to Walter Reed in DC... and we all know what was going on at Reed right about that time. Given the environment and his pure sense of determination and drive to be independent, Latseen pushed hard to recover and convinced his doctors to let him go home after only 8 short months.

During this entire time Jessica never left his side. She provided him with love and encouragement, kind words and a kick in the ass when he needed it. She chased off the paperwork gremlins and kept Latseen focused on the task of rehabilitation. She made sure that everything stayed on track and never once complained about herself. Jessica remains at Latseen's side because she loves him. They are good together. They will always be stronger together than either one of them individually.

In 2008 the Benson's were approached by Bay Area Builders Association (BABA) in Houston, Texas, a 501C3 organization benefiting U.S. War Wounded Veterans, with opportunities like fishing trips (such as the one I wrote about here back in October 2009) with the overall grand promise of a brand-new, custom-built ADA home free of charge. The Benson's worked with BABA at events such as the Pasadena Rodeo selling items & raffle tickets to raise money for BABA. They worked tirelessly and never complained to me about the long hours. They only spoke of how much fun they had just being together.

In December of 2009 BABA, in conjunction with a local country radio station, held a concert in Houston at which they announced to the world that Jessica and Latseen had been selected by BABA to receive that afore mentioned home. Though they were working towards that end and hoping for it, it was a surprise to the Benson's and it really showed on the pictures from the event (Latseen never smiles). BABA posted this along with pictures on their website. Latseen was now their new poster child.

Once at home and away from all the excitement Jessica & Latseen got to looking at the plans for their new home. Upon inspection it turns out that it was not the ADA accessible custom home they were promised but rather one of the small cookie-cutter homes in Victory Lakes. While a very nice neighborhood, the floor plan for the home left no room for wheelchair access. A custom home with over-sized hallways, living space and restrooms is necessary for Latseen to get around in his own home and they brought this to the attention of BABA, who then promised to update the plans with said amenities. The Benson's then called the builder and were told that there was no way to change the plans without changing the entire home. BABA then pulled those home plans and told the Benson's that they would pick an entirely different home for them.

Several weeks went by and the Benson's never heard back from BABA. Then, by third party, they heard the very disturbing news that BABA had pulled their gift and were no longer going to give the Benson's a home. Upon investigation Jessica found out that BABA was indeed defaulting on their promise because they said, "they only support stable families." Apparently, a personal and private matter with the Benson's relationship was now the cause of BABA's default! Now, I'm not going to elaborate on that issue because I believe it is, and should remain a personal and private issue between Jessica and Latseen. Furthermore, it is not the issue at hand and I believe BABA is simply using the issue to cloud the water. If Jessica or Latseen want to share that part of the story they can tell you about it in the comments below, but, I urge you to not focus on that because it is not the issue. The issue is that a 501C3 supposedly dedicated to providing needed homes for our Troops just pulled the carpet out from under a really, really great family who deserved and earned the home they were promised, period.

There is no such thing as a "stable" military family, however, if you want to talk about strong and devoted and committed and host of other such adjectives to describe the military family you'd be on the right path. Such audacity and hubris! To think that these folks, who only one of which served in the military, can stand there and say that they are passing judgement upon such a great family is beyond me.

BABA's next move was to have a "hearing" at the behest of Jessica and Latseen. Well, what do they do but schedule the hearing for a date when Latseen will be out of the State on a previous engagement and, and, one which Jessica had advised BABA of on previous occasion! BABA would not reschedule the meeting so Jessica was left to stand by herself in front of these vultures who had clearly already made their decision. Theresa and I went to the meeting and sat outside just to give what support we could to Jessica. When Jessica came out of that room in tears I was completely enraged! I wanted to go in there and just beat the living crap out of those smug bastards.

At the end of the meeting BABA had told Jessica that they would contact her in a "few days" to let them know their final decision. Shortly afterward BABA removed the pictures and article about the Benson's from their website. It seems Latseen was no longer good enough to be their poster child. More than a month later one of the BABA board members called Jessica only to say that he was checking up on them but when the conversation turned to ethics he stated that that was not the conversation they should be having and terminated the call. To this day no BABA representative has notified, telephonically or otherwise, the Benson's on their final decision.

This is just plain wrong. The Benson's are really great folks and War Heroes to boot. I think that BABA should be investigated and that they should lose their 501C3 status. I hate to say it. I hate to see an organization set up to assist our War Wounded go under, but, not this one. You just don't treat people the way they did the Benson's. You just don't run an organizaton by the seat of your pants, there are rules to govern that organization. That is partly why you have to apply for 501C3 status.

Oh, and here's the kicker for you... Latseen is an Alaskan Native American! Anybody remember "Manifest Destiny?" Here we have an aboriginal who, out of a love for his country joins our Military to defend all of ours' Freedom and to help those who cannot help themselves attain their Freedom and what reward does he get... he gets his ass blown up, then sent to Walter Reed, then has to fight the VA for what he is rightly entitled to and then, then this is how he is treated by an organization that is supposed to be helping!?! WTF!?!

I will be sending a copy of this to my Congressmen and Representatives. Hopefully you will read this and do the same. Perhaps you can drop BABA a little note and express your feeling to them as well (just click on the title of this entry to get to their website). Thank you.

To Jessica and Latseen, I love you guys. Thank you for serving our Country. It means something to me and, while that isn't much, I know there are others out there who appreciate you as well. Hang in there and we'll all get through this together... One big happy, if not stable, military family.

ESSAYONS!



9 comments:

  1. TO THE PUBLIC:
    The BABA organization is not to be confused with the actua, Massachusetts based, "Homes for Our Troops" organization that is highly respected and is the only 501c3 charity that is providing specially adapted, high quality homes to our severely injured Veterans on a national basis. They have donated over 50 homes nationwide and continue to do right by our Veterans. Thier website is www.homesforourtroops.org

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  2. The Benson's are great and wonderful people and did not deserve to be treated in this way by BABA. Hell, no Veteran should be treated this way by anyone! As my husband says, there is no such thing as a "stable" military family (non-military for that matter), but I've never seen a better group of people more dedicated to not only taking care of their families but the country's as well. I had the honor of growing up in a military family and it has made me a better person. I wonder if the members of BABA even realize what being a Veteran is all about? We don't know what our Veterans go through or even imagine what they live with everyday of their lives. So for BABA to treat the Bensons in this manner is horrendous and I for one will be forwarding their story to as many people as I know and then some.

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  3. I went to the BABA web site and expressed my outrage at their treatment of the Bensons. This is the reply I received from Daniel Vargas, Executive Director:

    "First let me just say whoever is tell you we declined to build the Benson family a home is misleading you. The home has been put on hold due to an issue with the Benson family . . ."

    And, apparently, since I had told them I intended to contact my Congress critters about this situation, Mr. Vargas decided a bit of smart-assery was also called for when he finished with this:

    "We also welcome any discussions with any representative's or senators on any matters that concern Operation FINALLY HOME. Please let us know if you need the contact information for your representatives/senators. We would be more then happy to help you make contact with them."

    Can you say "pompous and arrogant?" I knew you could. Especially for someone who doesn't proofread. Someone get me a red pencil . . .

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  4. Stunned. Simply stunned. I know our government agencies do try to help, but I see so many of them just screw the family's over. Look at all our veterans on the street. I do not understand what the issue is. A personal matter between the participants is not in any clause that I know of concerning benefits. Why would that even come into play?

    My thoughts and Prayers to the Benson family.

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  5. This is wrong on so many levels. I just sent these JERKS an email and will post their response word for word should they decide to reply. If you are reading this Please do the same. Lets get these people the home they worked so hard for.

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  6. Here is the response from my complaint to this organization. Personally I think they are full of poo poo!

    Dear Mrs. Barton,

    Thank you for contacting us. First let me just say whoever is tell you we declined to build the Benson family a home is misleading you. The home has been put on hold due to an issue with the Benson family that we are not able to discuss with you at this time unless you can provide written permission from the Benson's allowing us to discuss the matter with you. We have made a promise to the Benson family to not discuss their personal issues without their written consent.

    God bless,

    V/R
    Daniel Vargas
    Executive Director

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  7. AND........ here is my response to him.

    Well... personally I think your full of it and if anyone deserves homes in this country it is the people who go to war for us to keep our asses safe.. They WON.. personal issues aside, YOU reneged. PERIOD. That is the issue, and you can explain your redtape bs all you want, you still look like a jerk.
    Kat

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  8. Wow a Cookie Cutter Response. Thats the same email I got. I even got added to their mailing list. I sent them an email and asked to be removed immediately and said I did not want to be associated with organizations such as theirs.

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  9. MSgt JD Collett USMC (Ret.)Mon May 17, 12:10:00 PM CDT

    Since you have not posted the comments from a previous anonymous respondant, you probably will not post any others that may challenge your personal views (like the mainstream media).
    I understand your emotional outrage as I also have had concerns about the handling of this issue. Both the Bensons and others would be much better served if the parties involved were left to work this issue to a reasonable conclusion. Sadly, that may not be possible now. Public accusations on this blog against BABA Support Our Troops, Inc must be defended publicly, which means that ALL INFORMATION regarding the Bensons roll in this matter shall also be required as public information, so that everyone that is so eager to dicredit BABASOTI will have ALL OF THE FACTS of this unfortunate issue on which to base an opinion. For those of you who have already made judgement without all of the facts, shame on you for such un-American actions. Just for the record, let me state that I have spent more than twenty years of my adult life as a U.S Marine, willing to give my life to protect and defend the people and The Constitution of The United States of America against all enemies both foreign and domestic. That would include persecution without facts!!! I am not making these statements to defend one side or the other, but to point out the fact that this blog is one sided and unfair to all parties involved.

    Semper Fi
    E8C-OUT

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