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A recent survey found that an alarming amount of Americans believe most homeless people they see must be veterans. Though that isn’t true, is there a way to change that stigma? And with at least 76,000 American veterans stranded on the streets each and every night, is there a way to better help them?
Homeless
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Command Post
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 41
Wow, that preconception is startling to learn about -- I wonder why so many Americans think that most homeless people are veterans. Maybe it has something to do with a high percentage of homeless people writing that they are a veteran on their cardboard sign? Specifically, I am referring to a homeless person that writes, "Homeless veteran, please help" -- and drivers-by have no way of verifying whether that person is in fact a veteran.
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CSM Michael Lynch
Me and my counterparts have offered many of them jobs and talked with them in depth to find out they weren't veterans holding them signs. I would venture there are more of them with the signs that aren't veterans than are. My opinion is I will ask a question or two and help those I can. Veterans and non-veterans with a job offer it they want to start somewhere.
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CPT (Join to see)
That is a very good point, it is in almost town that I have been to. Like you say, there's no way of verifying their identity. I try to help in offering food/non-alcoholic beverage; I usually never give money.
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SSG Don Maggart
Because from VA and HUD's own Statistics 34% are or will at some point Homeless CPT Aaron Kletzing
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SSG Don Maggart
So Veer are Zee Papers and submit to the VA State will is the cure to Homelessness... I fart in your general direction...laffs
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I like to write poetry because it's easier for me to write it than talk about it. I wrote this poem .
Where has all the time gone, where the hell did it go,
I was once looked up to, I was a war hero.
Now I sleep where ever I can, where ever I can find,
My face is so old and wrinkled, life has not been kind.
A half century ago, I served when I was called to go,
I was a combat soldier, proud and brave, ready for the show.
My time in Vietnam prepared me for my life,
Drugs and booze were my strength, which led to my strife.
Today I eat whatever I can find, I sleep wherever I can,
I am the people I hate, I am the one they can't stand.
The life I know of using drugs and becoming a boozer,
Has almost, but not quite, helped make me a total loser.
Then one day it happened, I had not thought of Him in years,
I fell to my knees in prayer and shed a half century of tears.
God told me to rise up, go forth, and again become a man,
Now today, I show others like me, what God will do and can.
© Keith Bodine 06/21/2007
Where has all the time gone, where the hell did it go,
I was once looked up to, I was a war hero.
Now I sleep where ever I can, where ever I can find,
My face is so old and wrinkled, life has not been kind.
A half century ago, I served when I was called to go,
I was a combat soldier, proud and brave, ready for the show.
My time in Vietnam prepared me for my life,
Drugs and booze were my strength, which led to my strife.
Today I eat whatever I can find, I sleep wherever I can,
I am the people I hate, I am the one they can't stand.
The life I know of using drugs and becoming a boozer,
Has almost, but not quite, helped make me a total loser.
Then one day it happened, I had not thought of Him in years,
I fell to my knees in prayer and shed a half century of tears.
God told me to rise up, go forth, and again become a man,
Now today, I show others like me, what God will do and can.
© Keith Bodine 06/21/2007
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SGT (Join to see)
I've never been homeless, but I have a few friends who are. I got the insight for this poem from them. Thank you.
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PV2 Violet Case
so do you plan to share it with us SGT Keith Bodine. I was sitting here all alone and thinking about the soldiers, thinking about the homeless and about Jesus. And I just began writing and would like to share it. If you dont want to read it that is ok. I still respect anyone who does not want to. But this is Easter and it also affects the holidays our soldiers fought for the freedom families have today for those holidays. Here it is a bit long. I will not share all my poems but this one touched me and felt I needed to put it out there.... It does talk about Jesus tho as many of my poetry does.But this compares a soldier to Jesus and how people should be good are show they care.
Jesus said to be like Him, that is a soldier to me.
Sitting here on Easter thankful for what God and soldiers did give
In comparison of what Jesus and soldiers on earth had to live.
As Jesus like soldiers went out on foot to as many as they could reach
It was about freedom, love, kindness, honor and truth they did preach.
Those are mostly things in the Christian and Military family we all share
Soldiers are like Jesus was willing to die showing others how much they care
Just like Jesus a soldier will go to save in any storm don't you see?
Because of them you have holidays to share and be free.
Some soldiers just like Jesus giving to the last beat of their heart
Are you living and giving as Jesus and doing your part?
Maybe the strength of that lonely soldier was done as a test,
for God to see if you or anyone would ask them to be a guest.
I have often asked God why the military as I have gotten older,
To deal with the things as we have from being a soldier.
It was to give us strength and no to do commands for any kind of a task.
For God knows our hearts and that we will do as He may ask.
People often wonder how homeless can survive out in the cold.
Because of the strength Jesus prepared us for as we get old.
If you think, to ask someone homeless to use your shower first might be mean.
Just asking to join you and shower in an honorable way, they are happy to be clean.
If they were once a soldier the shower is where grateful tears would fall unaware,
because they had lost most their friends and have found new ones that care.
To reach out to the person who seems to be alone
Is better then being a fake Christian and throwing a stone.
You can not hide, God knows who all those people are.
He watches us, every one of us from the heavens afar.
So many civilian people don't care what a soldier has to give
or the stuff they go through when they come home to live.
Its because of these soldiers you have free family holidays.
But yet some can walk on the other side and look in discussing ways.
A message to ones really living as Jesus showing all they care.
And by helping others, in any way they can help to share.
Blessings be to them for they may have past a test.
By showing they are good Samaritans and not like the rest.
For soldiers it’s harder to tell inwardly what they may hide.
That is why so many are beginning to commit suicide
Because they do not feel as if people even care,
what happened while fighting for freedom out there.
Just because a few pretend like they are real,
Does not mean this is how the whole world may feel.
As I stop to realize there is something living among and in us.
It keeps me holding on so I can see the face of Jesus.
Instead of pretending like many others that they care,
why not reach out to brothers and sisters to let them no you are there?
So hold on brothers and sisters and do your best to live
So we can see what more Jesus may one day have to give.
The times now that the end is showing its way
and Jesus is coming again another day.
He will need strong soldiers like us to fight.
This time for total life not politics to me seems more right.
Written by: Violet Case.
Notarized Easter of 2015
I do like congressman petersons classes taught me to protect my inventions & designs. Plus I pay for a trade mark lol anyone want to learn more about that please contact me.
Jesus said to be like Him, that is a soldier to me.
Sitting here on Easter thankful for what God and soldiers did give
In comparison of what Jesus and soldiers on earth had to live.
As Jesus like soldiers went out on foot to as many as they could reach
It was about freedom, love, kindness, honor and truth they did preach.
Those are mostly things in the Christian and Military family we all share
Soldiers are like Jesus was willing to die showing others how much they care
Just like Jesus a soldier will go to save in any storm don't you see?
Because of them you have holidays to share and be free.
Some soldiers just like Jesus giving to the last beat of their heart
Are you living and giving as Jesus and doing your part?
Maybe the strength of that lonely soldier was done as a test,
for God to see if you or anyone would ask them to be a guest.
I have often asked God why the military as I have gotten older,
To deal with the things as we have from being a soldier.
It was to give us strength and no to do commands for any kind of a task.
For God knows our hearts and that we will do as He may ask.
People often wonder how homeless can survive out in the cold.
Because of the strength Jesus prepared us for as we get old.
If you think, to ask someone homeless to use your shower first might be mean.
Just asking to join you and shower in an honorable way, they are happy to be clean.
If they were once a soldier the shower is where grateful tears would fall unaware,
because they had lost most their friends and have found new ones that care.
To reach out to the person who seems to be alone
Is better then being a fake Christian and throwing a stone.
You can not hide, God knows who all those people are.
He watches us, every one of us from the heavens afar.
So many civilian people don't care what a soldier has to give
or the stuff they go through when they come home to live.
Its because of these soldiers you have free family holidays.
But yet some can walk on the other side and look in discussing ways.
A message to ones really living as Jesus showing all they care.
And by helping others, in any way they can help to share.
Blessings be to them for they may have past a test.
By showing they are good Samaritans and not like the rest.
For soldiers it’s harder to tell inwardly what they may hide.
That is why so many are beginning to commit suicide
Because they do not feel as if people even care,
what happened while fighting for freedom out there.
Just because a few pretend like they are real,
Does not mean this is how the whole world may feel.
As I stop to realize there is something living among and in us.
It keeps me holding on so I can see the face of Jesus.
Instead of pretending like many others that they care,
why not reach out to brothers and sisters to let them no you are there?
So hold on brothers and sisters and do your best to live
So we can see what more Jesus may one day have to give.
The times now that the end is showing its way
and Jesus is coming again another day.
He will need strong soldiers like us to fight.
This time for total life not politics to me seems more right.
Written by: Violet Case.
Notarized Easter of 2015
I do like congressman petersons classes taught me to protect my inventions & designs. Plus I pay for a trade mark lol anyone want to learn more about that please contact me.
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MAJ (Join to see)
The LA area will have a 3-day "stand-down for vets" to address this issue 20-22 December, and is asking veterans to help each other with food, clothing, housing, hygiene, mental health & employment issues.
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My father-in-law and I used to get together for lunch once each week (I was an independent consultant and could make the time). He always gave panhandlers "a little something" and I thought him a fool. I didn't say anything, but I thought they would only spend it on drink or something equally useless. However, after he died, I got the habit. I don't know why.
Who cares what they do with it. It's charity and I can't imagine the blow to the pride it takes to accept it. They must need it, mustn't they?
Yes, there are a lot of reasons for homelessness. Mental illness seems one of the leading causes. Surely we should be able to do something. In fact, once upon a time we did. There was no nation more generous than the United States when it was prosperous. However, despite what the incumbents would like us to think, we are not now prosperous and most of us are simply struggling to help ourselves and our families. How many, for example, have adult children returning home? How many are living in multi-generational homes.? There but by the grace of God go I...
The government keeps telling us that unemployment is no longer a problem. Really? The percentage of Americans who are currently employed has never been higher. Thus, they simply are cooking the books to make us think times are good.
We know they aren't.
So, there's the first step to helping the homeless, and solving all other problems. We need to get America back to work (and I don't mean at part time hours for part time wages). We need to get the government out of the way so we can spend our own money as we see fit, to give it to charity if we have it to give.
Did you know that some cities are refusing to allow food banks to operate on private donations because they don't trust We the People to donate the "right sorts of food"?
Despicable...
Who cares what they do with it. It's charity and I can't imagine the blow to the pride it takes to accept it. They must need it, mustn't they?
Yes, there are a lot of reasons for homelessness. Mental illness seems one of the leading causes. Surely we should be able to do something. In fact, once upon a time we did. There was no nation more generous than the United States when it was prosperous. However, despite what the incumbents would like us to think, we are not now prosperous and most of us are simply struggling to help ourselves and our families. How many, for example, have adult children returning home? How many are living in multi-generational homes.? There but by the grace of God go I...
The government keeps telling us that unemployment is no longer a problem. Really? The percentage of Americans who are currently employed has never been higher. Thus, they simply are cooking the books to make us think times are good.
We know they aren't.
So, there's the first step to helping the homeless, and solving all other problems. We need to get America back to work (and I don't mean at part time hours for part time wages). We need to get the government out of the way so we can spend our own money as we see fit, to give it to charity if we have it to give.
Did you know that some cities are refusing to allow food banks to operate on private donations because they don't trust We the People to donate the "right sorts of food"?
Despicable...
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Why not use BRAC closed bases to open housing for the homeless until they can get back on their feet?
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SSG (Join to see)
SSG Trevor S.. there you go again using that un-common sense .. it it were common.. everyone would have it.. sounds like a plan.
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PV2 Violet Case
actually many would love to live where they are out of the city and near a big lake. But I was looking to actually house a handiman here to give him one of those tiny cabins like they are building to live off the grid. But there would be some back up electric ect. That would allow me to go back to being more like a dressed up lady again and help me to be able to do more things like a companion but not relationship if you get that. Many would like a cabin sort of in the woods. Good hunting and fishing both up here. But in trade for that handiman help be sure food and shelter and available too. lol...But yes up here the doctor did have it set up where twice a yr the ones who are in jail were coming twice a yr to help me cut firewood in blocks and do a few things like that. Then the county decided I was not over 62 and stopped sending them cause the policy changed. I no some 62 yr olds that get around better then I do especially in the winter when that arhturitis hits my ankle and it makes it hard to walk on uneven snow. But yes i would hire some help too if that were the case. It would just work out better to have someone living on the land here. I would even maybe sleep at night feeling safer.
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SSG Todd Halverson
There is an organization that is remodeling unused barracks and housing on an old NG base in MN for the homeless Vets to use in order to get their lives back on tract. This is a temporary housing and they help them get things fixed in the Vets life so they can get a place of their own.
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I volunteer with USA Cares. We work to help vets find jobs, keep their homes, and help pay the bills when they seek help with PTSD.
http://www.usacares.org/
http://www.usacares.org/
USA Cares - Veteran and Military Family Assistance
USA Cares exists to help bear the burdens of service by providing post-9/11 military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need.
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One of the best ways to truly help homeless veterans is to volunteer your services to the VA's volunteer coordinator. If you think the VA has problems now, see how things would deteriorate if it weren't for the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of volunteer hours that are performed. You can tell the volunteer that you want to work in specific areas depending on your skills, their needs, and your interests. In Phoenix (go figure) the VA had entire homeless housing structures that were so vile they were condemned. Volunteers (but mostly the media) put so much pressure on SEN McCain that low and behold, new homeless building and staff to run many of the programs that the VA offers for them. Every dollar that can be saved from volunteer hours can be invested into other areas.
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PV2 Violet Case
SFC Mark Merino , that would be great but some days I can barely walk and I spend 80% of my time at home because of my own disabilities and the nearest VA hospital is over 4 hrs away. I have a nurse who comes here twice a month. But my Uncle Orval Spilde did it for so many yrs he was retired from the military and he loved that because it joined him with his veteran bond.
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CPT Richard Riley
PV2 Violet Case Just because you can't physically be there does not dampen your spirit. The fact your even responding to this question shows you have the tenacity to overcome and help. Help comes in many different ways, I'm confident you will find yours.
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How? Fire all VA management right now. All of them, no exceptions. Appoint an independent hiring committee, of which 50% must comprise of veterans screwed over by the VA. Then take in applications on a case by case basis. For the truly worst of the worst in the VA scandals, mandatory public service which shall consist of living homeless themselves. Seize their assets, liquidate any capital they have, and fund veteran homeless shelters. When these buffoons have gotten a taste of their own medicine, and recant, let them back into society, wait for about three months, then find some reason to fire them again from their jobs. Then and only then, will they have learned right from wrong, a duty which their parents and religious leaders obviously failed
That right there will be an enormous help for the veteran homelessness.
For the panhandlers posing as veterans, pretend like you believe their story, offer them a warm cup of coffee, take them to a vfw hall, lock the doors and the windows, and then inform everyone that the guy is a fake. Keep doing this as a social justice cause. This will stamp out the posers.
That right there will be an enormous help for the veteran homelessness.
For the panhandlers posing as veterans, pretend like you believe their story, offer them a warm cup of coffee, take them to a vfw hall, lock the doors and the windows, and then inform everyone that the guy is a fake. Keep doing this as a social justice cause. This will stamp out the posers.
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Seeing a homeless veteran makes me feel like they are the ones who never made it home and no one should be left behind. They need housing, job training, counseling and treatment.
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PV2 Violet Case
I agree with that. This is why I was trying to get help here with my tasks that need done like a handiman. Because of my disabilities I can not longer do alone. But it would help both of us veterans to talk mostly the therapy contains talking to other veterans. I go once every 3-6 mos to be checked at the VA. I also had a small business here that someone could either help with for helping their income as partner with just time no money in it I already have done that part and it sits there because I cant do it alone anymore. If they wanted but there is also work here. Polaris the one who made most of those 4 wheelers, 6 wheelers and stuff were made there. There is a big casino, there is Marvins and at the bottom of the hill walking distance next to Strieffs sporting goods looks to hire. But in order for me to pay for the cabiin they would live in and the land to be on it would be like working off their rent based on the handiman help. What is your thought on that? If I can find anyone
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MSG Angie Hernandez
I joined a non profit that helps Veterans, there are tons of organizations to join, find one that will fill your passion, Google luck
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SGT (Join to see)
This is a problem that I do not know if there is a good answer. my best friend for almost 40 years passed away last year . Had head injuries and brain surgeries . Turned to drinking and drugs and homelessness for a time . He had family and income from the VA and the VA tried to place him in home. He would not go in to the home until near the end of his life.
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I think there might be a misconception by some civilians that if an individual is a "veteran" they must be receiving a check or some form of payment from the government. That might prompt some to ask, "then why is he homeless". Just because someone has veteran status does not mean they are collecting payment from the government.
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PV2 Violet Case
you are so correct SSG William Martin, All these years of my being sick off and on and surgeries I no one expected it was from toxins. But it still made me sick and no one from the Ft Mac contacted me. So there were many times I was almost homeless that is why I worked on this place so it would be affordable and it can also produce my food too. But all those years of being sick not a dime. Also the toxins can sit dormit for up to 25 years on some people before they are showing symptoms but once they are unemployable like I was, getting by with odd jobs, selling some of my things trying my own business at home. In which I ended up loosing my house anyway because I could not make enough money this is a picture of me trying to work from a wheelchair, I did crafting and had a small office in the back of the house and was a notary, After loosing my house I had no choice but to the small amount from the car accident and bought this land and am now facing troubles to keep it going all alone. I can afford to hire but no one up here wants to work that doesn't have a job already or they want to work for beer money and paid by the day and won't show up or do a lousy job, Then now no longer for the public not even my own little business. And it takes awhile to get on any help with pay so in the mean time people become homeless. That is not by choice it is from a system that is slow and doesn't care. Us Veterans pretty much have to look out for each other.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
I am going to law school after I retire from the Army. I see where I could focus some energy and passion, and that's fighting for veteran rights.
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PV2 Violet Case
thank you SSG William Martin not sure I will be around when you finish, God willing. But yes we need that. I do not want to leave my home because of what the government had done to me yrs ago. It is not fair in my eyes that any of us should and it would save alot of tax travel pay dollars if they would just let us go to the nearest hospitals. Without 48 hr notices and they cover emergencies especially when most of them are because of what they did to us. It is hard to travel on disabled veterans.
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SSG (ret) William Martin
I don't know where I can start or even who I can talk to but I will try my best to accelerate my schooling so I can jump directly into the fight to help veterans. It saddens and angers me to know the government mistreats our brothers and sisters in arms.
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