What do you think of the VA releasing on Wednesday that 25% of American homeless are Vets ???

Question

Iraqi Vets are the fastest growing segment of the Homeless polulation.

As a Marine Corp Vet I'm thinking all those Sunday afternoon "Thank you" Grpups in the Airports, are not the level of support needed to overcome PTSD

Answer 1

I think its despicable that our leaders support these men and women in name only. Its despicable that the so called leader of the free world treats their veterans in such a manner. Our government is willing to pour billions of dollars into private security firms but not willing to pour billions of dollars into the care for our soldiers.

Answer 2

It's hard to see and hear. For so many of them, it is PTSD that is the unseen controller, but other mental issues as well. I'm not sure what is the best thing to be done to remedy this. So many of them return home to families who expect them to be able to pick up where they left off, support their families, and they just can't.

What probably is needed is not just more money dumped into the system, but more people. Home visits BEFORE they lose their house, apartment. Unfortunately, as a temporary fix some of these men and women will probably need to move into residential care where they can get individualized attention and help.

I'd also like to see more research into overcoming PTSD. It wouldn't just be for our soldiers, but would help anyone overcoming events in their lives.

I'm a Navy Vet who has struggled with the mental anguish of what I've seen and done and experienced. I feel them. I am just not sure exactly what I can do to help.

Answer 3

I think it is an indicator that something is horribly wrong. The VA has a job to do and this is and indication they are not getting the job done.

Lee ann above, fyi the heritage foundation is an organization that like Dick Cheney says the VA is a giant welfare scheme

Most of those guys with alcohol and drug problems got that way from self medicating. Perhaps if the VA did its job they would not have those problems.

Answer 4

I am sympathetic to the plight of the homeless - however, according to The Heritage Foundation - most are alcoholics, drug abusers, have prior criminal records or suffer from some form of mental disorder. With the possible exception of a much smaller percentage than 25%, I fail to see the parallel between the number of homeless and the number who have prior military service.
Yes, we need to step up to the plate and follow up on the needs of our veterans, but statistics like these serve only to divert the attention from those who truly need assistance to those who would have fallen through the cracks with or without prior military service.
Judging from my own observations of the homeless population in my area - they are typically a much older segment of our population than Iraqi vets would be - and the younger segment certainly don't comprise one in four.
For the most part, the services to assist vets is in already in place - full of red tape and certainly a hassle at times - but the vet must avail himself to these services. One cannot expect any organization as large as The Veterans Administration to be able to effectively follow up on the individual needs of every veteran.

Answer 5

Perhaps Bush could stop vaccationing and could tax his billionaire buddies so the va could provide real care to our heroes. If the govt admits 25% its closer to 50%

Answer 6

WHAT??????
I thought clintons housed all the homeless and fed the hungry.
I should stop watching mainstream news and reading NYT.

Answer 7

And your point is exactly what?

Most homeless are that way because they choose to be.

Edit:

Reference PTSD, it is mind over matter. I was in Panama, Somalia and Iraq and I seen stuff that would make a billy goat puke.

Answer 8

WE NEED TO BE SUPPORTING THE CURRENT TROOPS/VETERANS! NOT ILLEGALS!!