Why Should We Care?

Homeless veterans deal with many issues that the mainstream public has no way of understanding. Sure, you have seen the roles played in movies and on TV or even read about the problems in the newspapers. What I have observed being that I am considered a homeless veteran even though I have a roof over my head living in a Veterans Transitional Facility, is that their a more than one kind of homeless veteran.

There are the veterans we term "feral" because they can no longer stand to be beneath a roof and surrounded by four walls. I have met such a veteran recently or I should say that I saw him through his screen door before the amount of humanity he was in contact with drove him back out onto the streets. They are so traumatizes by their experiences in the military that they still live in the jungles or swamps the previously fought in.

Then we have the veterans who will go from shelter to shelter from year to year unwilling or unable to cope with a steady lifestyle. From my general observations and I admit they may be invalid these are the veterans who will use any and every hand up or hand out just to keep from being solidly in society. Some have legitimate mental health problems or physical problems that this is the only way they know how to live.

Then there are veterans like myself and the greater majority of others I have met. We just ended up in a situation that left us unable to keep or obtain a home of our own.

Most lived in their vehicles if they had them or on the street until they were able to get into a facility. I was lucky I was able to not have to spend even one night on the streets and I count myself blessed every day for this fortunate occurrence.

The Department of Veteran Affairs has wonderful programs available for homeless and non-homeless veterans if you have any questions you should contact the nearest VA Medical Center or visit the VA web site www.va.gov. There is also an 800 number you can call for information. 1-800-827-1000.

My hope is that people will care because we have veterans and their family becoming homeless everyday and more veterans discharging from the military and they may eventually end up in any of the situations described above. Homelessness sees no color, creed, nationality, or religion.