Iraq Veterans Facing Homelessness

[Barrett808]

(AP) NEW YORK As a member of the National Guard, Nadine Beckford patrolled New York train stations after Sept. 11 with a 9mm pistol, then served a treacherous year in Iraq.

Now, six months after returning, Beckford lives in a homeless shelter.

...

Thousands of veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan are facing a new nightmare -- the risk of homelessness. The government estimates that several hundred vets who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan are homeless on any given night around the country, although the exact number is unknown.

...

Former Army Pfc. Herold Noel had nowhere to call home after returning from Iraq last year. He slept in his Jeep, parked anywhere in New York "where I wouldn't get a ticket."

"Then the nightmares would start," said the 26-year-old, who drove a military fuel truck in Iraq -- one of the war's most dangerous jobs. At one point, he saw a friend's leg get blown off. "I saw a baby decapitated when it was run over by a truck. I relived that every night," said Noel, who walks with shrapnel in his knee and suffers from severe post-traumatic stress syndrome.

(more)

http://wcbstv.com/local/local_story_175133114.html

[yorgatron]

1. "support the troops"

but don't help them when they get back.
:grr::mad:

[morningglory]

2. Support the troops, indeed! We are going to have 150,000 PTSD

patients homeless on our streets with a bad economy, and no place to work except WalMart. Timothy McVeigh was a "top gun" tank commander in the Gulf war, got sent home and no jobs for ex Top Gun Tank Com's except McDonald's. I am not in a position to analyze Timothy M., nor the 150,000 vets, but it is not good, I can tell you. A lot of suffering is going to go on, caused by Clinton, of course.

[Monkeyman]

4. One out of Four coming home have PTSD

Why they are going homeless is the VA doing the two week dance with them.They go to the VA to start the claim see a Doc.Told to come back in two week this dance goes on an on. Other are told we lost your records. Some are asked for the first time in VA history for Buddy Letters. If you ever been in Combat two people fighting see other things then the other one sees .The VA key in on that and denies the claim forcing a appeal. All this is done to frustrate the vet so he walks away without a check. In the mean time their bills go up forcing some out onto the street some with their families.Now for the other homeless veterans most suffer from mental problems if your homeless you can not recieve a check. Other just fall into the Cracks Bureaucracy. This problem has doubled under the Bush rain of terror. Right now facts show that 33 % of all the homeless are veterans. So when Repulgs tell you the support the veterans this is a lie

[dailykoff]

3. Yes, it's the Clintons' fault.

And these soldiers are either lying or just lazy. I'll be they're not good Christians, either.

[mrcheerful]

5. According to a new republican turned independent this news item is

questionable. The kool aid drinker said our troops gets all kinds of combat pay plus they get a huge bonus after leaving the service. He stated that these vets are homeless because they are on drugs. I'd laugh except I'm to sick to try. BTW he also stated that according to the 1978 laws dealing with Wire taps,FISA and presidental powers that Bush had the inherint power to do anything he wants, according to a 2002 review court.

The good news is he no longer says he is a republican. :sarcasm:

[Earth_First]

6. Vietnam Redux. n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Non-veterans as well. nt

[VegasWolf]

8. "Good Morning Vietnam!" nt

[partylessinOhio]

9. This is a national disgrace! #2 behind the war for lies.

The Repuglicans are responsible for this, they will not approve the money to fund Veterans needs.

In my every day life I do not hear any acknowledgment from others that there is even a war going on. The majority of people are not effected and do not care about those who are.

Most Americans are cold and greedy. It's "I got mine and that's all I care about."

[The Brethren]

10. Bush

and his admin. should be ashamed of themselves!!!!

[pecwae]

11. But, they may get to hunt

on an island off the coast of CA. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2354965
That should get them on their feet in no time:sarcasm:

[Judi Lynn]

12. If they can only make it to Florida, they can live it up on a pontoon boat

named after Congressman C. W. "Bill" Young's wife, which they claim they acquired so returned paralyzed vets can use it. I'm sure this would be a real god-send (maybe for Congressman C.W.Bill Young and "Miss Beverly).



Republican Rep. C. W. Bill Young



The newly christened "Miss Beverly" on her maiden voyage, with retired Marine Corps General Randy West (standing) overseeing operations.

http://www.pva.org/newsroom/FeaturesArchive/2003/f03023.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As for the poster upthread's Republican friend who said returning veterans get bonuses, he must be mad. I've only heard of bonuses being awarded to these men at the time they REINLIST. It's meant to be an incentive, like a carrot dangled in front of a donkey.