Why has it taken so Long for our Government to both Acknowledge and Address the Needs of our Homeless Vets?

SPC Andrew Griffin — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 15:51:22 -0500

None of our Brothers or Sister in Arms should have to endure a lack of Food, Clothing, and Shelter! What can we do as Individuals as well our Government to address their Needs?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 3:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 15:57:36 -0500

Honestly, I would love to respond......but my response would be a very very very angry filled response about our government ignoring and/or purposefully forgetting about homeless citizens.

Response by LTC Scott O'Neil made Nov 11 at 2015 4:03 PM

LTC Scott O'Neil — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 16:03:23 -0500

My heart is filled with sorrow, it sinks into the pit of my stomach to the point it makes me sick as to the way this government treats our Vets. I would and will give the shirt off my back to help my brothers and sister in need

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 11 at 2015 4:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 16:03:46 -0500

Because the VA is led by a box of rocks with no initiative or values. Corporations are much better at preparing for new needs of customers, but the VA will take its happy little time.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 11 at 2015 4:14 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 16:14:18 -0500

I am not sure what the primary reasons for the delay so for our Government to both acknowledge and address the needs of our homeless veterans is SPC Andrew Griffin.
I do know that one reason is because homeless veterans do not have well-heeled champions with deep pockets who stand up for them.
The homosexual and lesbian movement had well-heeled champions and billionaires on their side when the launched with Act Up the movement for full acceptance in the early 1990's. While Act Up has died out the movement they were the point men for triumphed.
If there were billionaires willing to mobilize resources and develop networks for homeless veterans we would probably see significant progress at the ground level of help as well as some eager legislators looking for a gravy train :-)

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 11 at 2015 4:26 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 16:26:28 -0500

It's very easy to find $6Trillion for wars, but it's much harder for CONgress to fund and the President authorize all the social and medical services needed after the war, to deal with the incalculable costs of after the war...

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 11 at 2015 4:42 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 16:42:03 -0500

There is a problem adjusting back to society for whatever the myriad of reasons or broken homes which creates these conditions....is there reportable statistics?

Unfortunately once this makes the briefings, it will get attention. And until our Veterans make it to the prestigious power points briefing slides we will continue to see this. While we fight for the rights of those that want to spit on us or start a movement to stomp on our flag - we silently lay in the garbage and gutters of barren buildings, abandoned parking lots and under decrepit overpasses. Truthfully, this is a damned shame!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 8:02 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:02:27 -0500

If they wanted to help, they would. I believe it's more of an issue with rhetoric than anything else. Actions speak louder than words.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 9:28 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 21:28:31 -0500

BOTH parties, Demo-rats and Republi-can'ts use this to further THEIR agenda. And then everything seems to vanish until the next election. The U.S. spends BILLIONS on Foreign aide. I understand to a point why we do it. HOWEVER, we need to take care of our own people FIRST, then others.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 12 at 2015 2:00 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:00:02 -0500

Why are we looking for the government to do anything for us? It set up the VA while great in idea form, horrible in application. WE as a community should look out for each other, but we don't. Many talk the talk, but even fewer walk it. Now to caveat this, we have MANY former installations that are rotting away which could be repurposed easily and accommodate homeless vets, and even give them jobs maintaining the place. But no... one's gonna tackle that one. It's not a popular thing with any politician, and won't bring in money to any lobbyists. And IF a politician looked into it, some a**clown will bitch and moan that the vet's are being unfairly treated compared to the "regular" homeless person. I look at the old MP barracks on Ft. McClellan on FB, and they're rotting away as most of the post is, but they could EASILY be gone through made livable for homeless and MAINTAINED by them. Everyone's going to cite cost as their objection, but initial startup will not be cheap, but maintaining the status quo wouldn't be so bad once the standard's set. It would also give them a sense of ownership being they're no longer homeless and have responsibilities to care for where they live. But no. DoD will let these places fester and rot rather than acknowledge a serious problem and see that they have a means to effect change and help local economies and their former troops at the same time. But in the end, the government doesn't owe us sh*t; we went to them, asked for an opportunity and they gave it to us. It never promised to keep us to the same standards of living after we were no longer needed. Now we need each other more than ever. Too many generations of the Warrior Class (ALL OF US) living out of boxes or sleeping bags on the streets.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Nov 12 at 2015 2:21 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 14:21:39 -0500

Definitely sucks and I think the main reason is that fixing things for veterans doesn't bring in the money from lobbyists or the rich political donors.
I think that politicians, and unfortunately our fellow veterans who are not politicians, don't see the Veteran as an issue until its time for reelection and, like now the VA being in the spotlight because of all the problems they have currently.
I mean look how long its been going on recently, what 2 yeas now at least, and what has really been done other than to get a new VA Secretary, implement a few flashy programs but its business as usual because in reality most of our leaders don't care about veterans because we rarely have the money to make our voices heard.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 12 at 2015 3:17 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 15:17:08 -0500

The late Michael Jackson has a song that stirred some controversy but so true for this point" All I have to say is they don't really care about us!"

Response by SGT Shannon Wasielewski made Nov 20 at 2015 12:48 AM

SGT Shannon Wasielewski — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 00:48:56 -0500

The VA has poured so much money into "ending Veterans homelessness" that we could have given every homeless Veteran a house and a job. The problem is homelessness is a symptom of many other issues such as economic hardship, mental heath issues, and substance abuse just to name a few. Until you can stabilize the core issues a homeless Vet will remain at risk for future or continuing homelessness. You also have some folks that just prefer to live homeless. The VA needs to stop treating homelessness as a monolithic problem and lift restrains so that individual Medical Centers can work with local homeless Veterans to develop individualized plans that stabilize the Veteran and provide personalized resources.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 4:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:56:51 -0500

Americans dont care about vets.
They are quick to say "thanks for your service" but behind your back they are saying "you signed up for this". Politicians are quick to "support the troops" but right behind our backs are cutting our benefits and get into an arguement about a freaking 1% pay raise.
Thats why im not surprised nothing is being done to take care of our homeless vets.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 8 at 2015 4:58 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:58:04 -0500

The government is not agile when it is apathetic to needed changes.