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Military.com Forums Hot Topics & Current Events In the News Homeless in America: 1 in 4 are Vets|
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Member |
RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,155801,00.html
First, I didn't even bother to finish reading this lunatic article. Homelessness is NOT the problem it is the symptom of the problem! PTSD coupled with Depression is the problem, which is compounded by Alcoholism and Drug Addiction as a form of "Self Medication"! If you want to solve a problem first you have to have a clear definition of what the problem honestly is! Next, you define solutions to correct the problem and hopefully pick a solution that doesn't make another problem or the problem worse then it was to start with! How many times does it have to be PROVEN to these idiots in our government that when you send young men into war it screws them up and they need to have all the help they can get when they return - PERIOD! Unless or until we as a society understand the exact nature of what war does to people we can expect a lot more of this homeless problem to invade our country. I'm just amazed by how stupid our politician's are and more dumbfounded that the doctor's at the VA go along with them out of fear of losing their jobs! This makes me sick to my stomach! Recently, the news reported that as of now the number of sucide's by Viet Nam Vet's has passed the total number killed there, in other words according to informed sources over 58,000 Viet Nam Vet's have killed themselves! What does that tell us? In case anyone doesn't know, that is a Viet Nam Veteran, our government passed a law authorizing a VA Pension for Viet Nam Vet's, its about 900 bucks a month plus full medical. So, if you know a Vet that is homeless for god sakes tell him to see a VA Rep. Let's help our brother's get off the damn streets and get medical help they earned and so deserve. BTW the VA doesn't advertise this pension! Figures huh? SEMPER FI BROTHERS |
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Member |
This time you and I are in full agreement. But it is still a sad state of affairs when people who fought for our country have to or prefer to live on the streets.  |
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Experienced Member |
Tank, there are a lot of reasons a homeless vet would choose to live on the street. Most of those reasons revolve around withdrawal, self-medication (drugs and alcohol) and cronic depression. That doesn't make it right, just makes it a fact. If we as a nation don't get our s!!t together, we're going to end up with a new generation of homeless vets. The government needs to quit treating VA like its welfare. If they think it's going to cost a lot to take care of our vets now...give it 10 years. |
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Highly Experienced Member |
Well, you guys have already said what I was going to say. But the key thing is that homelessness, as Dano's pointed out, is a symptom of problems. If you tackle those, then the homelessness solves itself in most cases. But any help these guys can be given has got to be a good thing.
 It's a problem here as well, but the Government is trying to tackle it through hostels and rehabilitative care. It's not perfect, but it is starting to have an effect. |
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Member |
its all that and more. don't forget the home markets are ailing anyway, lots of vets and even serving members interests rates are climbing, making thier morgages way to high. it may not be just vets, but whole families losing thier homes. as for the va, i'm afraid that is a failed instution, too little too late etc.
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Member |
The biggest problem I have seen is that these homeless Vets do not accept the help they get. I have talked to some of them in Reno, they do not want to conform to society, they want to go on living their drug and alcohol life. You cannot force someone to seek help, and accept it. These homeless Vets would show up at the Reno VA for doughnuts and coffee each morning, set in the smoke shack and talk about drugs and alcohol. They were given places to stay, but did not want to stay their, and did not want to spend their money on a place to live, but rather spent it on drugs and drink. You can only do so much for a person, then they have to help themselves. These men had income, but just waisted it. I believe a lot of this stems from the culture at the end of Vietnam, where drugs were the thing. They became so entrenched in the drug world that you will never get them to give it up. Its a shame, but that is what I saw. And its the same all over from what they told me, they travel all over the country and do the same thing at VA facilities. ITs a good place to get a free handout. They get coffee and showers and food. I set and talked to one Vet who live on the street, he visits the Sick daily to see if they need cigerettes, so he goes and buys them for them, and they give him some. This was at Salt Lake City. I do not know what the answer is, but they have got to want to help themselves first, like I said, you cannot force them to accept help.
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New Member |
This is truly an issue of National Shame! I hope all of our elected officials Eat Well and Sleep Well Tonight! THEY SHOULDN'T!
For: Dan Daily The VA Pension you referred to covers those who served in War Time, but not necessarily in a War Zone. To apply you either have to be disabled and unable to work of 65 years old. Your income must be under $10,579.00 and your pension benifits may be offset by other VA Payments or Pensions. To apply, you need to fill out VA Form 21-256 (Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension) |
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Member |
You definately DO NOT have to be 65, you can be any age if you are disabled, however, you must be unable to work, classified as, "Total and Permanent Non-Service Connected Disability". Any Viet Nam Vet, that can no longer work as a result of disability can apply and will be approved AS LONG AS THE DISABILITY SHOWS HE CAN NOT WORK! All it takes is for 1 doctor to say you can not return to work!!! Anyone interested, please for god sakes, check this out, it beats sleeping on the street! And DO NOT CALL THE VA DIRECTLY, BECASUE THEY WILL NOT HELP YOU, go to a State Veteran Office or better yet see an American Legion Rep, they will even help fill out the paper work for you. If you call the VA they will tell you that you don't qualify almost all the time! The VA phone service reps., most of the time have no earthly idea what information they pass along to Vets, they make half of it up as they go along, I've learned the hard way not to trust 1 thing they tell me! SEMPER FI BROTHERS |
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New Member |
This is so typical of this world... the guys have done their part and then they're discarded into obscurity.
"SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!" the top dogs shout at you, and that's what we should do, but as soon as one is not "troops" anymore... The ones to give the orders are not the ones to die, so they hardly REALLY care, it's just lip-service. We need a big, fat revolution now and then, of a size that makes the White House and the Pentagon tremble, along with all the other big farts. |
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Experienced Member |
The first line of defense is the family. When they refuse to give up booze or bath one day a week most families cannot tolerate them. Call it a symptom or sickness he could have three squares a day and a warm bed with his brother but elects to spend his minimum SS on the bubbly. He 's not stupid as his lifestyle reflects and has a great talent. Has nothing to do with the economy but strictly choice on his part. |
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New Member |
America, I am free thanks to the Homeless VETS. We will collect and send money to the rest of the world and congress will sit up there on their big azz and give themselves a raise, but the guy who fought and made it possiable for the great nation, well he sits on a corner and begs for food. Dipolmacy at its best. Thank you America.
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New Member |
Here's an addendum that'll blow your minds!!!
The mayor elect of Philadelphia has proposed a $10,000 tax write off for businesses that HIRE FORMER CONVICTS. Maybe some of the Philadelphia politicians should pay that kind of attention to VETERANS! |
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Member |
EXCUSE ME, DO YOU WORK FOR THE VA OR ARE YOU JUST A RIGHT WING REP, OR GOD FORBID - BOTH?  |
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Member |
This problem is like all the other problems confronting our inept government. Be it Health Care, Social Security, high college costs, crumbling infrastructure or ignorance of the problems of our veterans. Our Senators and Congressmen continue to show they can do nothing for our country but take care of themselves and their pet projects.
We have have gone so long, doing so much, with so little, now we can do anything with nothing. |
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New Member |
Xtrooper, Sounds to me like you are lacking knowlege from wich you speak. These guys bring in smokes to there brothers, as much as I hate smoking, at least they are try to help a brother vet. You seen it, did you do anything, or do you turn your head and walk fast incase they ask you for a buck. Or are you in the VA center executive staff.
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New Member |
THROWAWAY SOLDIERS
With the one hand they seem to give And with the other, take away “We always will support our Troops!” But, they don’t do what they say. They promise all those benefits As you Raise your hand and Swear To Do Your Duty, Serve Your Country Anytime, and Anywhere. You keep your end of the Bargain And Follow Orders to a tee Even lay your Life on the Line So that others might be Free. You don’t ask for a whole lot Just to be treated with Respect Promises kept and Honesty From those People you Protect. But, too often those in Power Will Betray you without Shame Break those Vows they made Like it was only just a Game. It’s called, “Throwaway Soldiers” And the Troops will always lose Because you Play by the Rules While they will Play as they chose. Del “Abe” Jones 03-01-2005 |
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New Member |
ABE what true in words you have written. Man what true.
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New Member |
Well I am glad to see so many people having an opinion. Like some of you have said it is multi-symptom. Lets start with if they are injured in combat. What kind of treatment do they and receive, and how were they treated by persons during that time period. People are very vulnerable when they get hurt physically and psychologically. We need to ensure that the right people are there for them. The military has created a place for these outstanding citizens to receive treatment, and still have experienced and caring NCOs to be there to give leadership and guidance. We need to understand that everything we do is not going to work, and accept that as a fact. This does not mean not to try and make what is set in place better though. If you feel that these veterans you see in Reno that talk about drugs and alcohol are just wasting away their life. Talking to them about changing their life just one time is not going to change their lifestyle. You have to be involved in someone's life to be able to change it. Specifically with anything that can be conceived as addictive. You need to give them something that is better in their mind not yours. In order to figure that out you must know the person to be able to accomplish that. There is one cure all to every single problem in the world, and that is Jesus Christ. So if any you are born again Christians this is in my opinion the best way to reach out and help these veterans, since we are helpless to do anything on our own to help these deserving people.
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New Member |
Excuse me, too. Who are you? Another "no member profile" expert?? |
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New Member |
When I heard this on the news this morning, I cried. Its not like Americans didnt know that most of our homeless are Vets. Sure a Vet who has been basically ignored for 30 yrs is not going to trust any help the Govt (or anyone else) is going to try to give him/her. They have been lied to for a long time. They "check out" because dealing with day to day realities are too much. Hell, I have days that I would like to just walk away from it all for an hour or two. These are people suffering from PTSD, depression and anxiety. Of course they drink and use drugs to self medicate. They have been ignored and pushed aside by the Govt and citizens of this country. I think the best bet is for the Govt to spend a little more money and time assisting Vets when they return with the mental health and the education they need to return to the workforce. If I had to pay more in taxes to make that happen, I would do so gladly and I bet most Americans feel the same. There is no way that we should allow the same thing that happened to our Vietnam Vets happen to the newers Vets.
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Military.com Forums Hot Topics & Current Events In the News Homeless in America: 1 in 4 are Vets
