Back from Iraq - and suddenly out on the streets

[kskiska]

Social service agencies say the number of homeless vets is rising, in part because of high housing costs and gaps in pay.


NEW YORK – Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are now showing up in the nation's homeless shelters.

While the numbers are still small, they're steadily rising, and raising alarms in both the homeless and veterans' communities. The concern is that these returning veterans - some of whom can't find jobs after leaving the military, others of whom are still struggling psychologically with the war - may be just the beginning of an influx of new veterans in need. Currently, there are 150,000 troops in Iraq and 16,000 in Afghanistan. More than 130,000 have already served and returned home.

So far, dozens of them, like Herold Noel, a married father of three, have found themselves sleeping on the streets, on friends' couches, or in their cars within weeks of returning home. Two years ago, Black Veterans for Social Justice (BVSJ) in the borough of Brooklyn, saw only a handful of recent returnees. Now the group is aiding more than 100 Iraq veterans, 30 of whom are homeless.

"It's horrible to put your life on the line and then come back home to nothing, that's what I came home to: nothing. I didn't know where to go or where to turn," says Mr. Noel. "I thought I was alone, but I found out there are a whole lot of other soldiers in the same situation. Now I want people to know what's really going on."

more…
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0208/p02s01-ussc.html

[BlueJazz]

1. I've said this a hundred F*cking times...

The American People are Oh-so-vocal about "Supporting our Troops"
UNTIL they get back home then it's,,,Fuck Um...

[Nay]

4. Yep, they're just like fetuses, oh-so-holy until they're born. Then

it's out in the cold with 'em.

[NYC]

2. This evening's television news said that Bush's new budget

reduces benefits to veterans. (No details.)

[AlCzervik]

3. love the warrior, hate the veteran

[peacebird]

5. absolutely SUCKS

these people laid everything on the line in support of a war they were sent to fight. They come home, hear how there were no WMDs in the first place, perhaps realize that the things they were ordered to do were utterly immoral and NOW the govt abandons them?

it would have supported them AS LONG AS THEY COULD FIGHT, but if they are injured and therefore of no use to the system... so long, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out. By the way soldier - why didn't you turn in all your equipment? YOU OWE Uncle Sam for the gear we "loaned" you, never mind that you were wounded/unconscience and perhaps the gear was destroyed when you were hit...

I am disgusted. Horrified.

When the next Tim McVeigh strikes don't say we are innocent. His crime will be ours....

It is unforgivable.

[fortyfeetunder]

8. Growing new generation of snipers

When you mentioned the "when the next Tim McVeigh strikes", I agree, this is bound to happen.

Recall the DC Beltway sniper John Allen Muhammad was another Gulf War vet.

[DemoTex]

6. Not quite right, chimpsrsmarter ..

The Bu$h regime loves (I mean L-O-V-E-S) the fucking WAR, and hates the warrior and the veteran. The bumper sticker on my Subaru wagon here in the NC mountains:



Peace

[fortyfeetunder]

7. Deja vu all over again

Remember the homeless Vietnam vets? Why should this be no surprise?

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. Well ain't that just fricken great . .

.
.
.

I share your disgust and horror at this situation,

I also have fear for y'all

People wandering around with no money or place to stay,

and their most up to date skill is killing the "enemy".

Which in some of thier minds,

Is now their own country.

Gawd help Murikkka, there's more coming . . .

:scared: