Returning soldiers are ending up homeless and many are suffering from PTSD

[wisteria]

Vets on the Street

"Much of the work with new veterans is being done one soldier at a time. At New Directions in Los Angeles, a center that rehabilitates homeless veterans, Anthony Belcher, a formerly homeless Vietnam vet who now works at the center, looks out for one particular Iraq veteran who shows up at the center about once a month, filthy, drugged out and tortured by PTSD. "He's a baby," Belcher says. "You can see it in his eyes." So far, the young vet is too wary to accept more than a night's bed or a hot meal. But as Belcher says, at least he has a place to go. That's more than many of the thousands of vets on America’s streets can say tonight."

This should not be allowed to continue. More funding has been alloted but IMO, more is needed to make certain this devastating situation does not get even worse. The article mentions, "nearly 200,000 veterans—many from the Vietnam War—sleep on the streets every night, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. ... But young warriors just back from the Mideast—estimated around 500 to 1,000—are beginning to struggle with homelessness too. Drinking or using drugs to cope with PTSD..."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17315490/site/newsweek/

[ray of light]

1. thank you for posting this Wysteria.

What can we do to help?

[wisteria]

2. I have brought this article to the attention of my Senator and Representative.

I also sent it to JK's office even though he isn't my Senator, I though he would be interested in this. Although, JK is probably well aware of this and is looking into it even now. He is alway way ahead on important issues.