Former addict gives homeless veterans a second chance

[Byrdie714]

for regular Joe the Plumber? yes your comment applies. but for vet? Well that's not really fair. These vets are what? 17? 18? They went to wars and saw something that no 18 years old kids should ever see and experience. They did the job that we don't want to. It doesn't hit them right away but it will once they're honorably discharged.

That's why there's a very high suicide rate among soldiers/veterans lately. My motorcycle forum posted that there is an abnormally high rate of motorcycle deaths for the past several months. Most of them are veterans/soldiers

Apparently you must have been typing this as I re-phrased it to this :

Let me re-phrase....." If the services are there for the Vets and they don't want it--we can't force it onto them."

 

[Bottesini]

I am glad to see this story about someone making a difference.

 

[Reba]

wow, Roy Foster is an unbelievable wonderful and good heart man.

Roy Foster for doing an amazing job to help veterans...

It's really shame that the veterans are being neglected by their own government.

They aren't necessarily all being neglected by the government. Like the article said, "When vets arrive -- through referral by the Veterans Administration, which largely funds the program -- they receive meals, housing, clothing, counseling and transportation to the VA hospital for additional medical and mental health care."

 

[Jiro]

Apparently you must have been typing this as I re-phrased it to this :

my post still applies and so is your post. I just want to add color to picture.

 

[Reba]

Many of them do want to help themselves. The resources are not there for them. The negative effects of battle does horrendous damage to these men. Then we toss them aside as if they are no longer useful for anything.

The VA hospitals do not "toss them aside." In our area they actively seek them out and offer them medical and psychological help, in addition to other services. I'm a frequent "visitor" at the VA hospital, and I see a lot of what's going on there.

 

[Byrdie714]

The VA hospitals do not "toss them aside." In our area they actively seek them out and offer them medical and psychological help, in addition to other services. I'm a frequent "visitor" at the VA hospital, and I see a lot of what's going on there.

She didn't say "VA".

She said, "we".

 

[Babyblue]

The VA hospitals do not "toss them aside." In our area they actively seek them out and offer them medical and psychological help, in addition to other services. I'm a frequent "visitor" at the VA hospital, and I see a lot of what's going on there.

Homeless Veterans Home


They do have these services.

 

[Beowulf]

I meet quite a few homeless veterans and it breaks my heart. Some of them go to the VA hospital for medicine but most of them feel hopeless. That is only from what I have seen, mind you.

 

[Babyblue]

I meet quite a few homeless veterans and it breaks my heart. Some of them go to the VA hospital for medicine but most of them feel hopeless. That is only from what I have seen, mind you.

True.

That is what makes Roy Foster so great. He has a way with the vets and helping them. Because he has been in their shoes before. A homeless, hopeless, addict.

 

[dreama]

It is really sad to hear what is happening to these Vets. I am glad someone is helping them though.

 

[Maria]

It is really sad to hear what is happening to these Vets. I am glad someone is helping them though.

*noddin'* I believe in helpin'. Be a good Samaritan. People can learn from him, his good role.

 

[jillio]

The VA hospitals do not "toss them aside." In our area they actively seek them out and offer them medical and psychological help, in addition to other services. I'm a frequent "visitor" at the VA hospital, and I see a lot of what's going on there.

Evidently, they are not getting the care they need, when they need, and on a continuum, or the services this man provides would not be so necessary.

150,000 veterans homeless on the streets in the U.S. on any given night. I would imagine that these 150,000 would disagree with the opinion that the VA is doing right by the vets.

 

[Byrdie714]

They aren't necessarily all being neglected by the government. Like the article said, "When vets arrive -- through referral by the Veterans Administration, which largely funds the program -- they receive meals, housing, clothing, counseling and transportation to the VA hospital for additional medical and mental health care."

What was Walter Reed then?

 

[Reba]

Evidently, they are not getting the care they need, when they need, and on a continuum, or the services this man provides would not be so necessary.

150,000 veterans homeless on the streets in the U.S. on any given night. I would imagine that these 150,000 would disagree with the opinion that the VA is doing right by the vets.

The VA can't force people to accept help, especially those who are substance abusers.

I know from experience that our local VA seeks out the homeless veterans, and offers them services beyond even those required by statute. I also know that if any civilian staff at the hospitals or clinics doesn't show proper respect or service to a veteran, they are dealt with firmly and quickly. I can't go into details but I was involved in just such a situation. The administration, without any prompting or complaint from me, took the initiative to resolve a problem with one of the staffers; it shocked me how quickly and seriously it was dealt with. Also, the VA departments are constantly sending out surveys and requesting feedback from veterans about their services. It's almost annoying (in a good way). They do community "Stand Downs" for homeless veterans, like an open house, to draw them in. They set up their service areas where it is most convenient for the downtown homeless vets to access.

The truth is, some vets spend their pensions on booze and drugs, and cut themselves off from family members who are searching for them. Also, it's been discovered that quite a few homeless guys who claim to be war veterans, are not. Anyone can buy surplus uniforms and hold up a sign that says "homeless veteran." But after a little questioning, it's clear that the person never served in the military.

I'm not saying that there isn't a problem. I'm saying that it's not all about the country ignoring it's veterans. But we can always do more for them, that's for sure.

 

[Jiro]

*noddin'* I believe in helpin'. Be a good Samaritan. People can learn from him, his good role.

since you're from Florida, you should help them out!

 

[Reba]

What was Walter Reed then?

I didn't say the system was 100% perfect; there's plenty of room for improvement.

Sometimes it does take exposure in order to get things rolling to rectify such an awful situation as Walter Reed. Sometimes butts need to be kicked, and heads need to roll. We have to stay vigilant and constant.

That doesn't mean it's that bad everywhere.

 

[Beowulf]

Each of us has a viewpoint concerning the treatment of our homeless veterans. Some of us think that it is worse than the media portray it to be, while others think that the situation needs a mere tweaking to make everything peachy keen. The truth lies in the grey area. I think we ALL can agree on one thing, though...There is a real problem with our homeless veterans, and something needs to be done. *shrugs*

 

[jillio]

The VA can't force people to accept help, especially those who are substance abusers.

I know from experience that our local VA seeks out the homeless veterans, and offers them services beyond even those required by statute. I also know that if any civilian staff at the hospitals or clinics doesn't show proper respect or service to a veteran, they are dealt with firmly and quickly. I can't go into details but I was involved in just such a situation. The administration, without any prompting or complaint from me, took the initiative to resolve a problem with one of the staffers; it shocked me how quickly and seriously it was dealt with. Also, the VA departments are constantly sending out surveys and requesting feedback from veterans about their services. It's almost annoying (in a good way). They do community "Stand Downs" for homeless veterans, like an open house, to draw them in. They set up their service areas where it is most convenient for the downtown homeless vets to access.

The truth is, some vets spend their pensions on booze and drugs, and cut themselves off from family members who are searching for them. Also, it's been discovered that quite a few homeless guys who claim to be war veterans, are not. Anyone can buy surplus uniforms and hold up a sign that says "homeless veteran." But after a little questioning, it's clear that the person never served in the military.

I'm not saying that there isn't a problem. I'm saying that it's not all about the country ignoring it's veterans. But we can always do more for them, that's for sure.

No one is forcing them to accept help from this man, either. They are doing it voluntarily.

Got anything to back up that claim of many claiming to be homeless vets that aren't?

There is a reason that so many war veterans are not just homeless, cut off from family and support systems, and turn to drugs and alcohol. It's called the effects of battle.

 

[jillio]

Each of us has a viewpoint concerning the treatment of our homeless veterans. Some of us think that it is worse than the media portray it to be, while others think that the situation needs a mere tweaking to make everything peachy keen. The truth lies in the grey area. I think we ALL can agree on one thing, though...There is a real problem with our homeless veterans, and something needs to be done. *shrugs*

Absolutely. And this man is taking up the slack, and providing a much needed services to those we laud as heros when they have a uniform on, and allow to sleep under bridges once they take that uniform off.

 

[shel90]

I see a lot of homeless vets on the streets of DC not far from all the Memorials honoring the vets and the VA hospitals. Either the resources werent available to them or they refused help.

I applaud this man for taking the time to reach out .