How come there are so many homeless veterans in America?

Answer 1

There aren't. As a percentage of the # of actual veterans, there are very, very few. Most of the people you see on the side of the road holding the atypical cardboard "Veteran needs food" signs are not, in fact, veterans. Most aren't homeless. Some are middle class.

MSNBC followed several to their cars after their "shift" at the side of the road to their suburban homes.

Answer 2

Sir J is sadly misinformed. I found information at the V.A. Hospital, that shows approximately 30% of homeless are Vets. This is backed up by other Government studies. Do some research Sir J.
I believe that the reason for this is simple and has plagued warriors since the beginning of the professional soldier. Your a hero when needed, but cast aside on the dung heap, your service forgotten when you are no longer needed there are few if any programs to help down and out Vets get back on their feet, The Vet Center is a joke. I'm a decorated combat soldier myself. That and fifteen dollars will get me a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Answer 3

Several reasons, some don't want any better, some have fallen on hard times, some have abused their bodies most of their lives (with alcohol, smoking, drugs, etc.) and are now paying for it. I work for a local Veterans Services, so I know what I am talking about. I have seen them come through the doors at my office. We try to see if their are any VA benefits to which they may be entitled and then direct them to local homeless shelters, churches, missions, etc. for help.

Answer 4

Listen to mweller 1956. He absolutely nailed the reasons...Vietnam and drugs. Great post!

I use the VA. They will help any vet who asks for it.

Edit: This weeks Time Magazine states that there are 200,000 homeless vets. Ten percent are Iraq and Gulf War vets. Forty percent are Vietnam veterans.

Answer 5

I'm currently homeless myself, although not a veteran, so I'll give you my theory: Most of these guys are from the Vietnam generation, and drug abuse was widespread among troops in that war, possibly even condoned by the brass. Many of them were never able to adjust to civilian life after their terrible experiences in Vietnam, and a few do suffer from PTSD with flashbacks, etc. I know one homeless Marine vet with a severe alcohol problem, who is able to work and support himself despite that; he prefers to sleep outside and keeps his possessions in storage. It's not for lack of tax dollars that we see so many homeless vets, either; a lot of these guys refuse to take advantage of the help available from VA and other sources. I think such men simply live by a "f*** the world" mentality, to their detriment. I can think of nothing that will change this.

Answer 6

How can one find peace after a bloody war? Some of our veterans when to war during their youth and they never kill anyone before! Imagine killing someone for the first time, having your best friend blood on your hands. The trauma is so great that one can never be back on the road!

The government only cares about you when you are able, but once you ran out of your usefulness, well why waste the money to bother about them!

Answer 7

The percentage is overstated because the higher number benefit the people who took the polls.

Typically they will assume that somebody is a 'homeless veteran' based on his/her word alone.

Answer 8

You ever talked to one and asked? I did, I sat in a park and talked to him and he said the Government was messing with his benefits and he was here (DC) to make his presence known. He feels like our Government doesn't care either and he will die here on the streets trying to get a message across. He has a daughter that lives in Florida that he could go live with, but he didn't want to be her burden because you has children to take care of. It is sad, but try.

A lot of homeless people have places to go, but they choose to let the Government see that they are failing society by cutting so many benefits. Why should people be forced to live with others because they don't have enougth coming in to take care of themselves?

Answer 9

I know one Vietnam vet from the 101st, had a ton of medals, including the silver star. Part of his skull was a metal plate. When he came back to our reservation, all he did was drink and fight. He died in the desert from alcohol poisoning... His friends who went to war with him are either dead or in counseling. Only a few came back with their heads on straight and are functioning in society, most however could not make the adjustment from being trained killers to civilian life. And we're only one small Tribe in Nevada.

Answer 10

Because once the government is done whoring americans out for their dirty little purposes... they have no use for them any more.

There are very few measures taken to help these people resume normal lives after combat destroys their psyches and their ability to function in society.