A Nation's Disgrace

As a vet I am constantly appalled at the number of our former warriors living on the streets and, at times, eating out of dumpsters.

It is estimated that one-third of the homeless adults in the United States are our country's own veterans. It is difficult to fully account for the actual number of homeless (including veterans) in the U.S. Many sleeping their cars, in the woods or other hard to locate places.

What is known is America's homeless veterans have served in World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, in Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the military's anti-cultivation efforts in South America. Those without any place to call home include both male and female veterans.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that 131,000 vets are homeless on any given night. And approximately twice that many experience homelessness over the course of a year. Nearly a quarter of a million men and women who took an oath to defend this nation and were willing to give their lives sometime this year will be homeless. Some figures of more than a half a million have even been reported.

The base budgets for the Defense and Veterans Departments was a combine total of more than $609 billion in 2009. These figures are taken from the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Yet, we still have men and women who served our country living without a roof over their heads or basic necessities such as food and clothing.

Who are our homeless veterans?

According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, here are the numbers:
23% of the homeless population are veterans
33% of the male homeless population are veterans
47% are Vietnam Era veterans
17% post-Vietnam
15% pre-Vietnam
67% served three or more years
33% stationed in a war zone
25% have used VA Homeless Services
85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans
89% received an Honorable Discharge
79% reside in central cities
16% reside in suburban areas
5% reside in rural areas
76% experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems
46% white males compared to 34% non-veterans
46% age 45 or older compared to 20% non-veterans

It is estimated 96% of our homeless veterans are male while 4% are female. And the numbers may be rising in today's economy.It is safe to presume with the increased number of foreclosures and unemployment more veterans will find themselves homeless.

A common sight across our great country is men and women standing by the roadside with crude, hand lettered signs reading: "Homeless Veteran ... Need Help" or, "Homeless Veteran ... Will Work For Food."

Our veterans deserve more than handouts. Our veterans deserve a hand up.

Majority of the help and inroads in providing services come from organizations either founded by or supported by veterans. And the budgets they have are based on contributions ... not from a part of the staggering billions the government allots to the Defense Department or VA.

You can help veterans in your community by volunteering at a shelter, being a mentor or legal aid, organizing or participating in a Stand Down program or veteran burial program. Check out the community based veterans organizations that need volunteers in your area.

You can also advocate for homeless veterans in your local government and community. Or, you can donate directly to organizations that provide assistance to our homeless warriors.

GET INVOLVED!!! Let's end the disgrace of having those who have served our nation be invisible to the very people they served ... the American people.

There are many groups and organizations whose goal it is to help our homeless veterans. I have included a few of them and their links so you can get involved. Don't just sit and read about their plight ... YOU can make a difference.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans can be reached at: http://www.nchv.org

Stand Down. Founded by a group of Vietnam Vets. They can be reached at: http://www.standdown.org/homeless.html

Disabled American Veterans at http://www.dav.org