Reserve center gives homeless vets shelter

[unhappycamper]

Reserve center gives homeless vets shelter
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Oct 22, 2007 7:56:10 EDT

TUCSON, Ariz. — About 120 homeless veterans in Tucson got hot showers, free meals, medical attention and a place to sleep over the weekend.

The idea behind the temporary shelter at the Allen Army Reserve Center in south Tucson was to connect the veterans with services they need to find permanent homes or jobs.

The weekend stay was organized by two dozen veterans and social groups. Homeless veterans not only were able to get medical services such as flu shots, but they also got hair cuts.

“A lot of people aren’t job-ready,” said Mark Pollinger, an event volunteer and vice chair of Tucson’s Veterans Serving Veterans.

Although many veterans expressed gratitude and vowed to work at getting off the streets, organizers said that many of them will still be living in homeless camps and parks this winter.

Mary Pat Sullivan, director of the veteran-support group Comin’ Home, said many homeless veterans suffer from physical ailments or behavioral issues, and are disenfranchised or overwhelmed by the bureaucracy involved in claiming veterans benefits or disability pay.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_weekendshelter_071022/



uhc comment: This article touches on one of my *really hot* hot buttons.

One third of the 978,000 homeless are veterans. One fucking third. Half of them are Viet Nam veterans. Most if not all of WW II homeless veterans have already died. Most likely the same is true for Korean veterans. Which means that one half of one third of 978,000 homeless served in other conflicts since Korea.

Granada, Bosnia, GW I, the never ending drug wars, Afghanistan, and this current adventure in Iraq.

And it's a big deal to give 120 homeless veterans in Tucson hot showers and a place to stay for the weekend. Don't get me wrong; it is a good thing to care for veterans. I'm glad these gentlemen had the opportunity to get off the streets for the weekend.

Why not just take care of veterans? Not for one or two nights. Until they are healthy.

It's not just these motherfuckers running the show right now. It's all the motherfuckers who have been running the show since (at least) WW I. It's all the motherfuckers who create veterans.

Grrrrr.