VA homeless initiative has support of Legion

[unhappycamper]

VA homeless initiative has support of Legion
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 5, 2009 11:10:25 EST

The nation’s largest veterans group vows to help the Veterans Affairs Department achieve an ambitious goal of eliminating homelessness among veterans within five years.

“Anyone who has served our country in uniform should have a roof over their heads,” said Clarence Hill, national commander of the American Legion, in reaction to VA’s announcement Tuesday of a comprehensive plan to work on issues involving homeless veterans.

~snip~

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced at a summit on homelessness that he and President Barack Obama “are personally committed to ending homelessness among veterans within the next five years.”

Shinseki made it clear that he understood what he was saying. “I learned long ago that there are never any absolutes in life, and a goal of zero homeless veterans sure sounds like an absolute,” the former Army chief of staff said. “But unless we set ambitious targets for ourselves, we would not be giving this our very best efforts.”

By VA’s estimate, about 131,000 veterans are homeless today, down from about 195,000 six years ago. Shinseki said the new effort to end homelessness stems from concern that tough economic conditions in the U.S. could reverse those gains, leading to a 10 percent to 15 percent increase in the number of homeless veterans in the next five years if nothing is done.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_homelessvets_americanlegion_110509w/

[liberal N proud]

1. I talked with a homeless vet this week in DC

I was in DC with my father who was on a honor flight trip.

This gentleman was at The Wall being an unsolicited tour guide to the visitors. He said that the VA has turned down his request for aid.

I always feel a little extra sadness for those who have risked their lives for our country and then they are forced to live in the street.

[unhappycamper]

2. What did you father think of the WW II memorial and the Vietnam Wall? n/t

[liberal N proud]

3. He was very impressed

He said it was a beautiful tribute and much more impressive than he envisioned.

I have to get the story and pictures posted as I promised last week. I have just been to exhausted, I returned from a trip to Europe and jumped in the car to drive to Washington DC (6 hours each way).

Maybe tonight, I will have time to get the pictures on the web and post the story.


It is a great thing these volunteers who do these honor flights are doing for our WW-II Vets. Wish I had the time.

[unhappycamper]

4. Thanks. I look forward to your photo essay.

:thumbsup: