Posted on Jun 30, 2015
What is your personal response to homeless Veterans?
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We see them everywhere. While it is easy to blame a broken system, it is hard to ignore the homeless Veterans who stand there with signs or approach us at the underpass intersection. What is your personal response to them? I prefer not to give money but offer other help. It is not an easy solution. How do you typically respond?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
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It's a crying shame that our country allows this to happen. These men and women gave so much to defend this country and then basically forgotten. Now I do realize there are some who choose to liive this way but that number, I would assume, is small. This government must do more to help its veterans.
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Don't be to proud to accept help.....there are many organizations and people who will give your a hand.
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I keep a stash of dollar bills in my sunglasses holder in my car. My wife does too. Whenever we see a vet at the side of the road, if we can pull over we do... 99% of drivers just drive right on by...
LCpl Todd Houston
LCDR RABBI JARON MATLOW - I don't know what to say. You have put a lump in my throat. I live with a friend who is 100% disabled and a year and a half ago the VA took my house. We were headed to live in a campground. Being a vet I was offered a bed at a shelter in the VA campus. He was not. I couldn't do it. I couldn't leave him by himself with no way to get around. It would take me a year to tell of all the blessing that I have received the past couple years, but now we are both doing pretty good. Since before I lost my house, I too have kept an ashtray full of the golden dollars. So long as I can do it safely, I will hand out these dollars, no questions asked. They don't have to fill out an application, show me an i.d., or tell me what they will do with it. I feel that is the way GOD wants me to do it. He has plans for them just like he did for me. I have also learned that GOD works at his speed, not mine. However, his miracles always seem to come just in the knick of time. It is so wonderful being blessed everyday. I feel so much better when I am able to help someone to not have another miserable day.
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LCpl Todd Houston I'm glad you're doing better now. I think the homeless veteran crisis, among other issues surrounding lack of support for vets is a huge embarrassment for our country. Most other countries seem to do better.
Regarding what God wants, while I channel the book of Isaiah, I can't say specifically what God wants today, since God does not directly talk to us any more. That being said, my tradition clearly teaches, that even if YOU KNOW that a beggar is doing well and is doing this illegitimately, you are still required to give. They ask the question, how do you know he isn't the Prophet Elijah coming to redeem the world?
Regarding what God wants, while I channel the book of Isaiah, I can't say specifically what God wants today, since God does not directly talk to us any more. That being said, my tradition clearly teaches, that even if YOU KNOW that a beggar is doing well and is doing this illegitimately, you are still required to give. They ask the question, how do you know he isn't the Prophet Elijah coming to redeem the world?
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We have some homeless in San Angelo and a few claim to be Vets. When I pull up and stop at an intersection where one is I call out "Who were you with?" If they simply answer with a service and I have time I ask further. If they call out 1/12 Cav, 1st CAV I help them. Anyone who served knows the answer to a "who were you with?" question usually involves a specific unit, what ever branch of service they were in.
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Having Been Homeless For A Year, It's Very Easy To Turn To Drugs And Alcohol To Numb Our Pain.
I'm Stable Now. I'm Housed Now. I'm Getting Mental Health Help At The VA Now.
PTSD Will Kill You , IF You Do Not Ask For, And Get HELP! I Help Other Homeless Veterans Now As A Way To Give Back....
I'm Stable Now. I'm Housed Now. I'm Getting Mental Health Help At The VA Now.
PTSD Will Kill You , IF You Do Not Ask For, And Get HELP! I Help Other Homeless Veterans Now As A Way To Give Back....
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First and possibly foremost would be to learn what assistance is available in your local are to help them and then refer them to those. In general I kill time filling out restaurant customer surveys for which I often get gift cards. A dollar doesn't go far and may further unhealthy habits. But, a $5.00 White Castle card, a free Whopper or whatever helps.
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Often times, homeless persons only need a few dollars to buy something eat! I try to offer help and offer give a few dollars!
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At times I will give an unhoused person money. I have to sometimes remind myself to not be so giving to everyone that comes up to me for money. I may not have the funds I need for myself if I gave money to everyone.
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After almost 1 year of becoming homeless,vdue to congestive heart disease & a 2nd heart attack, having waited 4 + yrs for VA cardiology Doctors, to decide... There is Only 1 hope, in Christ alone. I've been ignored, outcast, because I don't do drugs or drink alcohol, so I've repeatedly been told, there is no help or hope... For a 65 + year, homeless, veteran like me... Welcome to the last days, of America. Never volunteer for combat infantry, I've been called a fool
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At Fort Snelling in Minneapolis, there have been old barracks and other buildings sitting idle and deteriorating for close to 75 or more years. Numerous Governors have said they would set aside money to renovate them into housing for homeless vets, but they never follow through. And they are 0nly about 1 1/2 miles from the Veterans hospital. It would have been a perfect fit. I do not have the extra money to give homeless vets, but I have given them clothes and jackets that I had at home, and have gotten them food.
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PVT Steven Bornman
I moved to Eagan, MN. around Diffely Rd between 35E and 77. I have only seen one "homeless veteran" in the area. But, in the Twin Cities and near MoA seen many hanging out. For the life of me can't believe there are that many "homeless veterans" in Minnesota? Census says there are 330,000 veterans living in Minnesota in total. Now, that Minnesota legalized pot the homeless situation will get worse just like it did in Colorado. Wish the Dems didn't do this stupid action as I hate to have to move again!!!
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It seems to me that the VA goes to great lengths to house drug addicts, the mentally ill, those who don’t take care of themselves, and those who’ve had no direction after discharge. However, if a veteran who worked hard to build a life and somewhat prosper, the VA will tell him he/she isn’t qualified to enter the homeless program. I know because I visited the ‘Soldiers Home’ at Milwaukees VA Medical Center. The ‘Soldiers Home’ was built in the 1860s and recently restored. I would have enjoyed living there but was told I I didn’t qualify because my income was too high. Also, the VA homeless program doesn’t consider veterans who are divorced and must pay spousal support for the rest of their lives. It’s assumed the homeless veteran has no debts, has little income (because he was too lazy or unmotivated) to get an education or a job. I’ve seen some of the men who live at the ‘Soldiers Home’ and I think they are a disgrace. Some (but not all) have scraggly beards, wear dirty clothes, and simply look terrible.
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I carry ziplock bags in my vehicle containing liquid soap/shampoo, a toothbrush & toothpaste, a pair of socks and a small New Testament I get from the VA. It’s not much, but it’s something to let them know that they’re seen. If I have time, I ask their name, tell them mine (first names) and tell them I’ll pray for them. Then I write their name on a list I keep and I do pray for them.
If I’m not in my vehicle, I’ll buy them something to eat
If I’m not in my vehicle, I’ll buy them something to eat
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