Comments on: Homeless veterans: Trying to find help and hope
Add a Comment
- Let this 66 year old Vietnam veteran tell you how to end this homeless problem:
Give these homeless veterans $1,000 per month and call it "the national patriotic veterans bonus" and they'll disappear before your very eyes. Out of sight, out of mind. - Reply to this comment
- All our veterans were productive trained individuals while enlisted in the service. Why can't industry get the same incentives to hire these returning heroes that they do for hiring a handicapped person? Why, when we saw a farmer in Georgia that can't find any labor at $12/hr. because the illegal immigrants are afraid they will be deported, can't he offer a place to stay and 3 squares a day for a days labor to some of the homeless in that area? It would give these people structure, and pride in doing something worthwhile not just a hand out. Hard work isn't the issue, they all know what toughing it out in the heat and hard work is. If they need emotional help or medical help, that should have been sorted out before they were ever discharged by our government. It is the least we can/should do. Every American should be outraged by this and look at what they can do on their local level to help out.
- Reply to this comment
- Hi sdbigd69
Wish it were a "great story" as you stated...as the majority of people that are offered help in these programs have given up hope, as there is no funding available, particularly in rehab and shelter. Thus, there are few if any services available for the veteran not only in SD but nationwide. I lived in SD for decades, and it is in SD that I worked with vets for several years; walked many miles inBalboa Park, and went to the centers on 10th st, and other shelter facilities. Worked with many vets at the vet ctr. in mission valley area, and the vet center in La Jolla...Another impediment with this issue, is that the program "stand down" only comes around on occasion. County Services and other non-profits in SD are doing the best they can, but do not have the resources that are - Reply to this comment
- Great story but had it's flaws...I know some of the people on the show tonite and there are programs that tried to help them but they did not like the structure...Well wasn't that one of the topics that was stated about they had in the military...The guys I know don't want the structure and left the programs...One friend of mine left the Stand Down on Saturday because he thought it was just a show to perhaps get funding...I know that most people found a bond with Stand Down...We have lots of people on the streets down here in San Diego and there just are not enough programs to help both vets and non vets...The weather is what draws the homeless here as you can live here year round without too much problem...As for our troops young and old, hey thanks, our flag still waves because of you...
- Reply to this comment
- I worked with homeless veterans for many years; the problems are overwhelming, as there is a lot of substance abuse, and are mentally ill and no resources available. Local governments are not willing to spend money on this issue, as their finances are limited...have you noticed what we are being told is going on in terms of "spending? how supposedly we are spending too much on social programs?...thus, we are not going to solve this issue anytime soon...this problem Many are in the streets, and face trauma that is sometimes worse than what they faced overseas.
Want to help?...call your local State representatives.
Finally, it's amazing how this 60 minute interview of veterans, did not include any individuals of color...hmmmm...oh, I forgot, this is the 60 minutes of CBS, represented by senior white males. Sad. - Reply to this comment
- This is the second time I have seen a story about Bill Yarling. I believe God wants me to help this person in some way. Please contact me through the e-mail you have for me. I CARE! I WANT TO HELP!
- Reply to this comment
- Thank you, Mr. Pelley, for an update on this story. Last week I saw a news story on television about tearing down foreclosed houses in Chicago. The houses were older, small homes and the person being interviewed said it might cost $140,000 to repair the homes so it was less expensive to tear them down. Homeowners in the area were happy to have them torn down because their property values are dropping. Rather than tear the houses down why don't they have homeless people volunteer their time, and have materials donated, to make the homes livable? It wouldn't cost nearly $140,000 per home. My preference would have been that the owners' loans be modified so they could keep the the homes. Since that didn't happen it seems like a terrible waste to tear down housing when we have homeless vets and previous homeowners. Maybe Habitat for Humanity would take on this project - I know they would have plenty of volunteers to help.
- Reply to this comment
- So this is America?
- Reply to this comment
- This story is unbelievable. There is no reason for any veteran to be homeless in this country. How many military bases around this country have been closed over the years? Why are we not putting these facilities to good use and providing shelter to our vets? How can we make this happen?
- Reply to this comment
- I notice nowhere did anyone mention that if a veteran is married veteran and wife can only make $15,493.00 per year in order to qualify for free medical from the Veterans Administation. Veteran alone can only make $11,830.00 for free care. Now do we wonder why our vets are homeless and on the street. Ask my 79 year old Korean War vet husband. And, when you exceed the limit they go back over a year with the co-pays. My husbands social security is garnished to pay his medication bills. Where are we seeing his service rewarded? No where thats where.
- Reply to this comment
