Posted on May 12, 2015

Decorated Vietnam War veteran killed by hit-and-run driver. (What are your thoughts?)

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.

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During two combat tours as an Army Green Beret, the onetime Hallandale Beach resident was awarded five Purple Hearts, along with Silver Star and Bronze Star medals for valor, according to his brother Walter Flaherty.

--- Found a picture of Richard Flaherty

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/decorated-vietnam-war-veteran-killed-by-hit-and-run-driver-1.345550

Edited 9 y ago

Posted 9 y ago

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SFC William Farrell

Posted 9 y ago

America loses one of our heroes, one that all too often is not recognized except in circles such as this board. I read the Stars & stripes article and it's a shame that this man was homeless. It is only my guess but I suspect that he has been dealing with PTSD, left untreated for far too many years. This man had the drive and ability to do anything he wanted, yet he was homeless.

Why are our veterans homeless? In spite of VA and DOD initiatives, we will continue to have homeless veterans if we don't treat them immediately upon returning from combat. I left Vietnam on a Friday and Sunday night I was home drinking and drinking heavily and this went on for years.

After more than a decade of war, we need to do a better job as these kind of stories will continue to occur!

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CPO Michael Callegri

9 y

In instances like this, there has to programs available for vets. I know of a program around the corner from where I work that does that. It is a non-profit, but backed by the City, County and I think the State. By now, we should all know that we can't wait on the VA or the government to take care of vets as well as need to be, so we need the community to step in and be that bridge.

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