Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

I met a young, homeless Veteran today

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » General Discussion Donate to DU
 
formercia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:09 PM
Original message
I met a young, homeless Veteran today

I gave him what little money I had. His face flushed red, and I could see that he was holding back tears. Sometimes it's not possible to suck it up any more. It gets to the point where even a recent Combat Veteran just can't take it.

What has this Country come to?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
gateley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:10 PM
Response to Original message
1. Shameful. The lack of care, respect and gratitude leaves me speechless
and ashamed of my fellow human beings (with an R behind their names).
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
RKP5637 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:10 PM
Response to Original message
2. It's not about people anymore, but more about profits for greed. n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
emilyg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:24 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. Both parties guilty.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
teddy51 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:26 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. Yes they are, and have been for many years. I have seen so many vietnam
vets that are displaced, it is just wrong for a country like ours to do this to our military people.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:49 PM
Response to Reply #8
10. Since Rick Shinseki has taken over VA, things are VERY different.
They are doing state-of-the-art PTSD and other support. Not fair to apply the "Bush paradigm" to vet assistance. It's just not accurate.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
RKP5637 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 08:00 PM
Response to Reply #5
14. Yep!!! n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
CaliforniaPeggy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:11 PM
Response to Original message
3. Thank you for helping him...
And where are all those folks who sport the "Support the Troops" ribbons on their over-sized SUV's now?

Bastards.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
formercia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:18 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. They drove right by him as if he didn't exist.
Shameful.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Liberal_in_LA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 09:38 PM
Response to Reply #3
16. +10
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
teddy51 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:25 PM
Response to Original message
6. This is so disgusting that we have our young men and women coming home
and ending up in a situation like nowhere to live. I know that we have many Vietnam vets in this same situation, and have had for a number of years. It really is unacceptable that we expect them to protect us, and then we just throw them aside.

Thank you so much for your generosity to this young man.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
aquart Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:25 PM
Response to Original message
7. Recent vets especially can't take it.
I think Post World War II is the only time in the history of the world when vets were treated well.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:47 PM
Response to Original message
9. I do not know where you live but there are a lot of support systems for vets.
He needs to get over to the VA and speak to someone, not beg on the streets.

Print this out and keep it in your pocket. Hand it to him when you next see him.


http://www.nchv.org/veterans.cfm

Without knowing his personal situation it is difficult to give advice, but the numbers on that sheet are staffed with qualified personnel who can steer him appropriately.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
formercia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 07:21 PM
Response to Reply #9
13. Thanks, I will
:hi:

He may have issues. He hardly said a word.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
southernyankeebelle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:53 PM
Response to Original message
11. I live in a rural town in TN, we have a guy that sits next to a WalMart by the
street light. He has a sign asking for what you can give him. Every time I see him I don't have much I give him a few dollars and he always thanks us. You'd think it was a million dollar.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
valerief Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 06:57 PM
Response to Original message
12. The people with all the money do not care about the people who do all the work.
They. Don't. Care. They've got another jet to buy.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
emilyg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-16-11 09:29 PM
Response to Reply #12
15. It's not just peoiple with money - I've
been feeding a vet by Publix. All sorts of people pass him by as if he was invisible.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
valerief Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-17-11 07:42 AM
Response to Reply #15
17. It was like that after Vietnam. The Vietnam vets were invisible. That's why
I was amazed when young people signed up for war in the oughts. I would have figured their parents would wise them up to the shit end of the deal the US government gives its soldiers.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
madokie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Oct-17-11 07:45 AM
Response to Original message
18. Our country has become a lair for the rich 1%'rs
Something tells me that is about to change though.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue May 07th 2024, 11:35 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » General Discussion Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC