Our Nations veterans are a national treasure. That's right... a treasure. Unfortunately in today's culture, veterans are rarely acknowledged. I mean sure, you can ask someone if they know a vet or if they respect a vet and most will readily say yes, but where is their action? I can tell you... I am a combat veteran, and much of the social perceptions and cultural understandings of sacrifice and commitment of veterans is completely misunderstood, ignored and even looked down upon by many young people today. Now, due to the Iraq War there are many young veterans and they of course understand this issue and the problems veterans face, and they are all heroes! However, there are many others who really have no clue. For this I am disheartened. What I am however, is impressed by the motivation, policy and movement by our government in creating more resources, programs and systems for veterans. The Veterans Administration is committing a great deal of funding and man power to helping veterans today. I am impressed by the action of many of our leaders in helping veterans today in finding employment, helping with housing, mental health, substance abuse, suicide, family issues and many other problematic conditions plaguing veterans. There seems to be a call for duty among our leaders to help these hero's! However, there is still much work to be done and many are still suffering! If we are to combat homelessness and other veterans problems it will take ALL OF US.
Homelessness
According to the Veterans Administration there is an estimated 200,000 veterans chronically homeless. On any given night during a year there is an estimated 400,000 homeless veterans. According to the Urban Institute on Homelessness approximately 23% of all homeless people are veterans; about 1 in 3. Of course, these stats are not accurate. There is no way to accurately quantify the number of homeless veterans; it is estimation, and one that is unacceptable!
According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, many of the homeless veterans (about 96% are male) and about 4% are female. Many come from poor communities, have little support structures of family, suffer from mental illness (about 45%), have substance abuse problems (about 50%), many served for 3 years (about 67%), and many served in combat zones (about 33%).
Why Are They Homeless?
Understand that many suffer from ecological conditions beyond their control as well as individual choice issues. They lack affordable housing, a livable earning wage, they lack consistent health care, lack of support structures and many suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse issues (NCHV, 2008). Furthermore, it is a compilation and a manifestation of many issues and problems for which homeless veterans find themselves living on the street. One interesting fact is that much of the funding in the system to help homeless veterans are structured in good faith to help veterans and their families and or woman from becoming homeless; however this leaves single male veterans at very high risk and the evidential outcomes prove such statements (NCHV, 2008).
Even with the Veterans Administration helping veterans it is estimated that they only reach about 25% of needing veterans. This means that there are many areas and needs for programs that will reach veterans in many areas they have been missed (NCHV, 2008).
What Do Veterans Need?
Veterans need motivated and compassionate people, services and resources willing to reach out and make a difference? Are you that person? If so, contact your local VFW or Veterans Administration and ask them how you can help!
Veterans need community based programs for which have been deemed most effective through qualitative and quantitative research. Well funded community based programs by federal, state and local funding with a strong level of feasibility and variability is important. Areas of need include; mental health programs (outpatient / residential), substance abuse treatment (outpatient / residential), housing programs, transportation programs, rehabilitation programs, homeless programs, food programs, employment assistance, etc. There are so many needs, but these are just a few! Most of all, veterans need and deserve your emotional and social support as a friend, family member or leader.
Remember, veterans were not born with an identity for preference; they earned it. Every veteran sacrificed a great deal for their identity. Regardless of what they may be suffering from; they deserve treatment, they deserve respect and they deserve your love in helping them in their time of need. In times for which this country needed them, all volunteered or were ordered; never the less they served and the American culture and people must stop and take the time to realize this enormous sacrifice. I realize that no man or woman could possibly fathom the sacrifice without actually being inside the shoes of these heroes, but I am asking America to at least try to become educated; try to gain insight to the incredible sacrifice these veterans have made regarding themselves and their own families.
I will now close with a poem for which my experiences can relate as a veteran. I write for all those veterans who have sacrificed; regardless of their branch of service or position; regardless of their race or creed. They are my brothers and sisters... I stand with them.
A Soldiers Wish
By L. J. Riley Jr.
Ordered to those far off lands; into God and generals hands.
Circumstance where faith must roam; wish for me to soon be home.
Prepared for this? No one can say. Duty calls my place today.
Between commitment and my life; I hope I live to see my wife.
Beyond such want, and even more; behind my will I lock the door.
Courage calls and I must say; what plans lay kept for me today?
Marching toward uncertainty; unto grips of destiny.
Hands are filled with cold blue steel; I pray for strength, to God I kneel.
Men mingle in their deathly dance; compromise has lost its chance.
Over bodies, trenches, mines; seared within my shattered mind.
Fight or flight to live or die. Over head those bullets fly.
Behold my life, has lost its gold. Spent by hate before I'm old.
Explosions lamp, a rumbling noise; waypoints hold a soldiers poise.
Guided glow by compass hand, in darkness through this foreign land.
One eye open, one eye shut; a soldier digs a shallow rut.
Taking turns, a resting day; I hope my dreams take me away.
Staring stars bring thoughts too soon. Does my lover see that moon?
Is it that to call our own? Somewhere between the lands we roam?
A soldier thinks, a soldier cares, a soldiers boots begin to wear.
Soldiers pray mail calls their name; letters keep a soldier sane.
As some may live, some will die; leaders laugh, leaders cry.
When ugliness of man has spoke. When battle fields have cleared of smoke.
Some will ride among a plane; some will ride upon a boat.
Families wait and set their clocks; the silent ones ride in their box.
Home will never be the same. Parts of me do not remain.
Deathly faces in my dreams. Wakened by familiar screams.
Within my role, I'm still not here. My soul is forced to live in fear.
Time is served but never done; a mind at war that's never won.
So if it's said; if it's lied. That veteran soldier's never cried.
That killing fuels a soldiers will. That soldiers crave a battles thrill.
That vision's of a man's demise excites a soldier through their eyes.
If any carry such a thought; you'll know they never truly fought.
Trust me to say...I know too well.
Somewhere between this life and hell; they sacrificed themselves as well.
If soldiers had a chance to say; a statement gave upon release.
A soldier my friend...would wish for peace
Poem Copyright2005 / Published2005
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