Veterans Transform Neglected Garden into Sanctuary at West LA VA Campus
Iraq war veteran John Follmer, who advises Los Angeles County on military and veterans affairs, is leading a group of veterans in rehabilitating a neglected Japanese garden on the West LA Veterans Affairs Campus. The garden, originally built in 1968, had fallen into disrepair until Follmer began its restoration six years ago. Every Thursday, veterans volunteer to work in the garden, which features koi ponds and Japanese maple trees. The garden serves as a peaceful retreat for veterans, offering a space for meditation and community building. Despite the garden's progress, the VA campus faces challenges, including delayed construction of veteran housing and a lack of amenities like supermarkets and coffee shops. The Trump administration's mixed messages on funding have added to the uncertainty, with promises of development yet to be fully realized. 
