I want to be able to embarrass the employees of the Bureau of Land Management who think it is OK to delay the transfer of land to living Native veterans of the Vietnam era. When I first heard about this program some 20-odd years ago, man, I was really excited and made my application right away. At that time, I thought that the folks at the BLM working in the program were there to help the vets get their allotments; how naive can a person be? It would be interesting to know how many vets got their allotments compared to those who have applied.
It is clear to me that the mindset of the people working in the “swamp” at the BLM are only interested in delaying transfer of lands to vets in the form of allotments until they retire and train replacements, or all the vets that this is meant to benefit have died.
Back when I was denied, about 20 years ago, Alaska Legal Services helped me out and sued on my behalf. When I lost that suit, I went to the BLM office to see if they could assist me in getting an application submitted that could be approved. The folks working there at the time told me that not only could they not assist me but that they — BLM — would be here long after I was dead. Over the years, their words have proven to be true as more and more of us pass away. I am in my 70s now and hold little hope of ever seeing an allotment. That being said, how can I shame the people working in the swamp?
The recent fanfare about allotments being made available by our Congress members seem to be made in earnest in that it is their intention that actual land be available to living vets in a timely manner. As I believe that is really what they want and that shaming of the BLM by me has no effect in producing that result, perhaps our lone Congressman and two senators could shame them into making it happen. I know if I were working in the swamp and a member of the board of the company I was employed by shamed me, I would more than likely change my ways.
As I am retired and have resolved not to stress over things I cannot change, I can say that I am not stressed, mad, embarrassed or otherwise negative in my mind. I am, however, looking forward to President Donald Trump getting around to draining the swamp at the BLM. Do not despair, my fellow vets; it is not over until it’s over.
— Paul Bergeron, Sr.
Chugiak
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