Congressman Ruiz Attends the Renaming Ceremony of the Sy Kaplan VA Clinic in Honor of Local Veteran Seymour "Sy" Kaplan

Palm Desert, CA – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) and the VA Loma Linda Medical Center released the following statement after the renaming of the VA Clinic to the Sy Kaplan VA Clinic in honor of local veteran, Seymour "Sy" Kaplan:

“Not only did Sy serve our country during World War II, but he continued his service after the war by dedicating his time to helping our community and ensuring our veterans here in the desert had the resources and support they needed,” said Dr. Ruiz. “Renaming the VA Clinic honors the leadership Sy exemplified and guarantees his name and legacy are forever with us – in the place where so many veterans come and receive essential care.”  

“It was a privilege to be joined by Congressman Ruiz in renaming the Palm Desert VA Clinic and honoring a Veteran that’s done so much for the community,” said Karandeep Sraon, VA Loma Linda Medical Center Director. “Seymour Kaplan was a decorated World War II Veteran who went on to serve as commander of the Disabled American Veterans for 25 years. We’re happy to honor not just his life, but the legacy of healing he’s left behind.”

Background:

Seymour “Sy” Kaplan was born February 28, 1924. Sy served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945 as a combat engineer and he served in the 2nd, 4th, and 14th Armored Divisions, seeing service in North Africa, Italy, and France. He rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant and earned three Battle Stars and two Purple Hearts and served under General George Patton at the Battle of the Bulge and received two Purple Hearts for his service.

In April 1945 he was grievously wounded in an enemy mortar attack in Czechoslovakia and returned to the U.S. a wounded warrior, 100 percent disabled. He moved to the Palm Springs area in 1992, where he became the first resident board member—and eventually first resident president—of the 9,000+ member homeowner association at Sun City Palm Desert. Sy served as Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 78 (Coachella Valley) for many years. He was instrumental in the opening of the VA Clinic in Palm Desert. He personally provided countless local veterans with advice and assistance in obtaining their earned VA benefits and received the Senior Inspiration Award from Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson in 2001.  Wilson also appointed Sy the first chair of the Desert Palms Community Council. Sy also served on Dr. Ruiz’s Veterans Advisory Board and was instrumental in launching Veterans University. Sy Kaplan passed away in 2019.

Legislation Background:

Congressman Ruiz introduced H.R. 7925 To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located in Palm Desert, California, as the "Sy Kaplan VA Clinic" on May 31, 2022, and after receiving support from all 52 cosponsors from California, the support of the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars the bill become law on December 20, 2022. This bill was passed in the House under suspension by voice vote and by unanimous consent in the Senate.